A powwow is many things -- part celebration of Native American traditions, part family reunion, part arts and crafts show, part feast, part fair, part dance and drum competition. Indians and non-Indians alike are welcome and encouraged to attend.  People should dress casually but respectfully for powwows. Only Native Americans dance in the arena except in special dances that may be announced by the powwow's master of ceremonies. (Someone may invite you to dance in a social dance, or if you are a military veteran you may be invited to enter the area during a Veterans Honor Song.)  Dancing at powwows is usually led by the honorary Head Man and Head Woman dancers, though at times others lead. Some powwows are held indoors and some are held in outdoor arenas, often on traditional tribal grounds.  Some powwows may only attract small crowds, while others may draw hundreds or even thousands of visitors.   

The dancers wear an amazing variety of regalia (don't call it a costume!).  What an individual dancer wears corresponds to the type of dancing he or she will do. For example, a traditional men's dancer will typically wear a buckskin shirt and pants, traditional head regalia (often typical of the dancer's tribal ancestry), and all will appear subdued in color. His dance will be restrained and dignified, often mimicking the movements of a hunter. In contrast, a men's or women's fancy dancer will have regalia with brightly colored cloth, ribbons, and feathers. This style of dress accentuates the athletic spinning and movements associated with fancydancing style. It's great fun to watch and learn to appreciate the various dance styles.

A big part of the powwow experience is the music coming from the drum or drums. Each drum is played by a group of men who also sing songs in a strong falsetto voice. One singer leads the song, and the other singers respond, following in unison as all play a structured rhythmic drum beat. Sometimes women may gather around the drummers, and they sing in unison with the men, but an octave higher. Northern style drumming comes from the musical traditions of the Northern Plains tribes. Musicians at a Northern drum  typically sing fast tempo songs. Even in states like North Carolina and Virginia, many songs sung by a Northern drum will incorporate phrases from Northern Plains tribal languages, such as Lakota.  Northern drums customarily play at the edge of the dance ground. The Southern style drum, in contrast, is situated in the center of the dancing ground. The Southern style song tradition originates in the Southern plains, and these songs are structured to be longer and, perhaps, more stately.

A powwow is a great place to experience a part of Native America. You might compare a powwow to the Highland games that celebrate Scots Gaelic traditions, music, and foods. Did I say foods? You haven't really been to a powwow unless you try frybread!  It's traditional all across the country at Native American events. (Trust us, it's way better than haggis.) Did you ever see the movie Smoke Signals? [Great film -- screenplay by Sherman Alexie, directed by Chris Eyre, both Native American]  There's a great frybread story in that one!