Sweet
William Farm Hosts A Pow Wow
By
Somaiya Rowland, 3rd Grade
Upton
Memorial School,
MA
Something
special happened on October 14th and 15th. A Pow Wow was held in Upton for the first time ever at Sweet William Farm.
Everywhere
you looked there was jewelry made with silver, leather, fur, turquoise, shells, bone, and other natural objects. You could buy clothing, beads, masks, sage, feathers, moccasins, dream catchers, drums, wooden flutes,
and Native American crafts. A real tepee was set up. It was brought by one of the Indian families who stayed in it all weekend.
Chants were sung. Drums were played all afternoon. A Native American family sang traditional songs. Dancers dressed in many colors and performed very old
dances like the Grass Dance to the beat of drums. One dance was only for children
to participate in. Candy was thrown on the grass and children had to find it
and pick it up quickly before the drums stopped playing. Indians from many different
tribes and people who weren’t Native American at all attended the pow wow.
This
year the Sweet William Farm Pow Wow was a great success. Many people came and
learned about Native American Indian traditions. I think the Pow Wow will be
even bigger and better next year.
A Meaningful Experience
My mom Wendy has Shawnee
ancestors. She attended the Upton
pow wow. I interviewed her about her experience.
Q.
What did you enjoy about the Pow Wow?
A. Everything: the dancing,
listening to the language of the drums, the artwork, the reverence and respect for tradition.
Q.
What did you enjoy most at the Upton Pow Wow?
A. The ceremonial regalia. A dancer's regalia is a collection of gifts that honor the dancer’s spiritual
name. It is sacred and is not be touched by anyone but the dancer.
Q
Did you meet any Indian families?
A. Yes. I met Butterfly Woman who lives in Worcester, MA. Her family brought a tepee to the pow wow. She has five children. Her eight year
old daughter Many Ponies was the youngest dancer. Her 16 year old son performed
the Grass Dance
Q.
What is the Grass Dance?
A. It is an old traditional
dance used to prepare and define the dance circle by crushing down the grass.
Q
Is it true the fire has a special meaning?
A. The sacred fire symbolizes
the presence and blessing of the Great Spirit and is kept burning continuously day and night during the pow wow.
Q.
Did it surprise you to see flags at the pow wow?
A. No. The flags represent all the Indian Nations. There were five
flags displayed: The Native American Flag called the Staff of Many Eagle Feathers
by Native Americans, the American Flag, the Veterans Flag, the MIA/POW Flag, and the hosting tribe’s flag.
Q. Why did you enjoy the drumming
so much?
A. Drums symbolize the heartbeat
of Native American People and the pulse of the universe.
Q.
Do you think pow wows are important?
A. Yes. Pow wows today celebrate and keep tradition alive. They help visitors better understand Native American
culture, spirituality, and tribal customs.
Great Job Somaiya!
