Dance exhibition gives insight into traditional powwows

For Jim Fisher, it is the inviting atmosphere and pulsing drumbeats of powwows that drive him to attend these traditional Native American gatherings all over \nthe state.\n“At each powwow, you’ll find how friendly everyone is. I’m not Native American – I’m white, but red in the heart,” he said.\nFisher, who is chairman of the White Buffalo Society Pow Wow, is one of the 56 people who filled the Figtree Gallery and Coffee Shop in Helmsburg, Ind., Saturday afternoon to watch a group of dancers from southern Indiana. They performed dances that are often seen in a \ntraditional powwows. \nPowwows are social gatherings of people who share stories, renew friendships and celebrate life though the expression of dance and song. Originating with the American Indians of the plains, powwows today are an integration of cultures from many different tribes around the country, Fisher said.\nFrom vibrant leggings to astounding headpieces, the clothing worn by dancers gave the audience a real understanding of American Indian culture. Each of the female dancers had a woven shawl draped across her arm to represent a different tribe. One woman, in addition to the shawl, wore a Cherokee “tear dress,” which is made by tearing fabric. The purpose of the dress, the group explained, was originally to create a look that helped make American Indian women blend into white society. \nThe men in the group wore deer or porcupine handmade roaches, or headdresses, that symbolized their importance in society. These headdresses are expensive and can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $7,000, said Mel Hoefling, the leader of the \npowwow. \nHoefling, who has participated in powwows since he was 12 years old, was one of the drummers for the dancers. He, along with five other drummers, provided the music for the event. All of the songs performed were traditional American Indian songs. \n“Most of these songs are learned by oral tradition even though recordings have helped us a lot in learning these songs,” he said. “There is a slight difference between the northern styles and the southern style of music. Northern styles are sung higher in a falsetto, while southern styles are sung lower.” \nWhile the music and the colorful dress kept the audience engaged, it was the dances that proved to be the real attraction. To open the powwow, the women performed a Round Traditional Dance, which is done by stepping side-by-side in a circle. The accompanying drumbeats were slow and rhythmic, the singing soulful. Later, both men and women performed the Buffalo Dance. In it, the men acted like horses and the women followed behind, trying to keep control of the horses. \nBut it was the Fancy Dance that took the audience by storm. This high-energy dance is performed by raising the legs and swinging the arms to the beat while stepping in a snake-like movement. Although it’s traditionally danced by men, Hoefling explained to the audience that in many contemporary powwows women can perform it as well. \nAlthough Saturday’s exhibition was only an hour and forty-five minutes long, traditional powwows usually last a whole weekend. The next powwow in Bloomington will be Sept. 8 and 9 at the Monroe County Fairground. Admission is $6 for adults, and the gates open at 10 a.m. For more information, call 961-1343.