Summer is Matusuri season here in Japan, but back home its Pow Wow season! I know a lot of you check this blog to see what's going on in Japan, but August 1st marked my one year anniversary of coming here (although at times I feel as though I've been here infinately longer), and I'm starting to find it difficult to remember what my life was like back home consisted of. The answer: Pow Wows!
Fancy Dancers, including my favorite, Thunder Lovitt (left).
If you're stuck stateside feeling sorry for the lack of cultural adventures available to you, and you've never been to a pow wow, I highly recommend you find one and go! The color and pageantry of the dancers, in full regalia, rhythmically moving to the beat of the tribal drum as their jingling bells mix with the and passionate song of the drum circle singers is something that will fill you with awe, admiration and inspiration for the Native culture of the Americas.
Girl's Fancy dancer, lost in the music.
If, like me, you have native ancestors and feel drawn to know more about them, Pow Wows are the place to meet the people that can clue you in.
Northern Traditional dancer
The best part about Pow Wow's is the dancing! Click here to see one of the best dancers on the Pow Wow circuit, Wade Baker, tearin' it up with the grass dance at the National Pow Wow in D.C.
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