Pow Wow . . . And How

I had a chance to visit the 38th Annual Pow Wow held on the central quad of the CSULB this weekend. The weather was perfect for spectators, maybe a little on the warm side for the feather dancers. If you didn’t make it this year, mark your calendars for 2009. Parking and admission is free and there’s enough food and Native American arts and crafts booths to fill up a pleasant afternoon. The dancing and the drums are the real attractions though. So bring a chair, and enjoy five hours of delightful music, costumes and traditional tribal dances. I find it so inspiring to see the generations dancing together.

There’s a few ground rules at Pow Wows. First, the dancers have specially designated areas where they can stand or sit. Keep away. Also, be aware of little people behind you and don’t block their sight lines. The native people I’ve met there are very easy going and rarely speak out if you’re in their way. Most importantly, ask before you take people’s pictures. Some people don’t like it because it goes against their spiritual traditions. Other people expect a gratuity for the picture.

Wouldn’t you know it? I forgot my camera, but if you’re in the mood, Pow Wows and the Gathering of Nations both have great photos.

And now for all you poetry lovers out there:

POW WOW

Come share the living power of your art.
Give breath to earth and shape the wind to make
The rhythms that you dance to in your heart.

A blood red cry of anguish can impart
The birth of war or death of love’s last ache.
Come share the living power of your art.

Now feel the pulsing drum. Become a part
Of all that’s ever lived. You can’t forsake
The rhythms that you dance to in your heart.

Bright patterned weaves of chanting voices thwart
The lonely howl a single soul can make.
Come share the living power of your art.

The eagle soars. Coyote laughs. The smart
Old storyteller’s words somehow partake
In rhythms that you dance to in your heart.

Come sing, come dance, for mother earth’s sweet sake.
The giver of all life’s own life’s at stake.
Come share the living power of your art,
The rhythms that you dance to in your heart.

Latest on Seadip: The city has produced a video with a brief recap of the history of development in Southeastern Long Beach and some good color-coded maps. Watch it on YouTube. Then you can complete the survey at the city’s SEADIP webpage.