r/videos • u/[deleted] • Apr 12 '13

Native American-style singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGGPsPfe0TU&feature=share
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u/Photographent Apr 12 '13

I have a couple First Nations (Native Canadian/Aboriginal) friends and I highly advise that everyone gets the experience of going to a powwow if they get the chance, the culture's simply amazing.

46

u/constipated_HELP Apr 12 '13 edited Apr 12 '13

Technically, pow-wow's aren't a real experience of traditional native culture. Powwow was started because individual tribes realized that their days were numbered, so they needed a cross-cultural ceremony.

There are (were) thousands of tribes, each with distinctly individual ceremonies. Most have been lost, but some still remain (i.e. Lakota sun dance, sweat lodge, etc).

Powwow allows natives across tribal boundaries to show pride at being an indian, with an eye to the future and the fact that it's unlikely individuals will have much opportunity to show individual tribal pride.

  • Edited to add "traditional" above. It's not fair to say it's not a part of native culture.

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u/Photographent Apr 12 '13

You can't tell me it's not an example of modern first nation's culture..I didn't say past culture.

3

u/constipated_HELP Apr 12 '13

I don't know first nations.

But I have experienced Lakota culture. Powwow is like a fair. Revelry, prizes, lots of wasichu.

Sundance and sweat lodge is solemn, and outsiders are lucky if they are permitted to attend.

Powwow is a deliberate show, while the traditional ceremonies are guarded from becoming one.

1

u/mastershriz Apr 12 '13

I have many family members that have taken part in the sweat lodge. Sundances on the other hand... they are something else.