Pow
Wow Etiquette
www.powwows.com
Condensed by Native
Village
1. Be on time.
The Committee does
everything possible
keep activities
running smoothly and
on time.
2. Appropriate dress
and behavior is
required in the
Arena. Anyone
who disrespects this
rule will be asked
to leave by the
Arena Director.
Dancers, please wear
dance clothes.
3.
Arena benches are
reserved for
dancers. Dancers who
want to reserve a
seat should place a
blanket on that
space before the
dance begins. Please
do not sit on
someone else's
blanket. Uncovered
benches are
considered
unreserved.
4. Listen to the
Master of
Ceremonies. He will
announce the
dances..
5. Respect the Head
Man and Head Woman
Dancers. They start
each song or set of
songs. Wait
until they begin
dancing before you
join in.
6. Dance as long and
as hard as you can.
When not dancing,
please be quiet and
respect the Arena
7.
Remember that you
may be taller than
the person behind
you and blocking
their view.
Please make room,
step aside, sit, or
kneel so they can
see.
8. Stand
respectfully in
place for the flag
and honor songs.
Wait until the
sponsors dance a
complete circle,
then when they come
around to you, join
in. If you are not
dancing, please
stand quietly until
the song is done.
9. While dancing at
any Pow Wow, always
honor the sponsors'
protocol.
10.Some songs
require the dancers
know the routines or
be eligible to
dance. Among them
are the trot, snake,
and buffalo dance
with require certain
steps and routines.
To learn them, watch
the head dancers.
Only Veterans may
dance some Veteran's
songs. Listen to the
MC for instructions.
11.
The Flag Song, or
Indian National
Anthem, is sung when
the American Flag is
raised or lowered.
Please stand and
remove you hats
during the song.
12. Powwows are
usually non-profit
and depend on
donations as part of
their support.
Blanket dances are a
way of raising
funds. Anyone can
drop money onto the
blanket to help with
expenses.
Support the
Committee and buy
raffle tickets.
13. Certain sacred
and religious items
may only be worn by
those qualified to
do so. Please
respect this
tradition.
14. Giveaways are
part of Indian
generosity. One
gives away gifts to
recognize and
appreciate those who
honored him.
The recipient thanks
everyone involved in
the giving.
All specials and
giveaways must be
planned with the
Master of
Ceremonies. It
is traditional to
contribute money to
the drum for this
request. Clear this
through the MC.
15.
The Drums are
sometimes closed.
Check with the Head
Singer for
permission to sing.
16. If you are ever
uncertain about
procedure or
etiquette, please
check with the MC,
Arena Director, or
Head Singer. They
are happy to answer
questions.
17. Take a chair.
Most Pow Wows don't
have public (or
enough) seats.
Benches in the arena
are for dancers
only.
18. No alcohol or
drugs are allowed at
Pow Wows.
19. Ask the dancer
before taking
pictures. Group
photographs are
usually permitted,
but ask the
committee first.
20. Remember that
powwows may be
slightly different
among tribes
or in areas of the
country. Each group
has its own customs
and methods.
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