Indigenous Dances of North and South America

Indigenous Dances of North and South America

The Module Two Field Trip was on the Indigenous Dances of the American Natives. It was an exploration of the American Native Culture as well as the significance of the various forms of rituals, ceremonies, and dances that are uniquely believed to be essential. According to (Gambino, 2007), the Powwow is among the Native’s cultural identity both in North and South America. It is made up of ceremonial dances practiced by the Native Americans, which is not only a ritual but a celebration that involves competition bringing thousands of people throughout the year. It is during the Powwow visits that the natives meet to sing and dance together as they make new friends and renew their old friendships. Most importantly, the Powwow provides an opportunity for the natives to restore their culture as they protect and preserve the American Indian Heritage. This essay explores the American Indian culture as well as comparing and contrasting between the Powwow and the Mayan Ring of Life.

Differences between the Mayan Ring of Life and the Powwow

The term Powwow is drawn from a Narragansett word pauwau, meaning a curing ceremony. Its translation to English gave it a new meaning, which is a gathering by the Indians. It spread so fast to other tribes that it became a primary cultural activity to strengthen and preserve the Native identity, which was no longer strong. Native Americans embrace music and dancing to be essential to their cultural, social, and spiritual lives (Gambino, 2007). Native music is always accompanied by dancing styles that are significant to their culture and traditions in that they create strong bonds between the American Indian to the living things, to the spirits, and the earth. 

Powwow participants are as young as six years, giving room to such a high number of Indians brought together by a common ceremony. Different dancing styles had different tribal origins expressing a wide range of activities. These activities include entertainment, rituals such as healing and curing, and hunting. The Mayan, on the other hand, refers to the people of the ancestral period that created the civilization of the ancient time stretching all the way the most parts of Central America as well the modern-day people across the world. The structure of the Mayan Ring of Life is a reflection of two circular rings that have a hole that could let something through it (Wellmeier, 2019). This symbolizes the passage of one generation to another.

Additionally, Powwow involved competition in that judges were involved in determining the best dancers in terms of rhythm, style, agility, outfit designs, coordination as well timing, especially at the beat of the drums (Harris, 2016). For the Mayan Ring of Life, a ball is used, whereby the players are not allowed to touch it either by feet or hand. Instead, they use their thighs and hips while the other rules of the games were different depending on the court the players belonged to (Wellmeier, 2019).

Similarities of the Mayan Ring of Life and the Powwow

The Powwow is in the form of a circuit whereby dancers, drummers, and singers travel throughout the year, making stops that are not only significant but are notable. Similarly, the Mayan Ring of Life involved two circular rings, which were also symbolic. Also, the present and the past life are blended in Powwow ceremonies. This is demonstrated by the regalia, the setting, and the dancing styles. The Mayan Ring of Life was also a symbol of joining the ancestors to the modern-day people, which is illustrated by the space between the circular rings (Mahoney, 2017).

 

 

 

Reference

Gambino, M. (2007, July 31). An evolving ritual. Smithsonian Magazine.

Harris, C. (2016). Heartbeat, Warble, and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music. University of Oklahoma Press.

Mahoney, E. (2017). The Mysterious Maya Civilization. Greenhaven Publishing LLC.

PowWows.com | Native American PowWow Culture | Articles, Calendar, Community. (2019, December 5). Retrieved from https://www.powwows.com/

Wellmeier, N. J. (2019). Ritual, Identitys and the Mayan Diaspora. Routledge.