The coronavirus pandemic moves European tribal traditions called the ‘powwows,’ online
- 11 Apr 2020
The powwows represent an evolution of songs and dances from when tribal traditions were forced underground during European settlement, Rencountre said.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the gatherings are taking on a new form online.
"Sometimes we have this illusion that we're in total control, but it takes times like this of uncertainty and the challenges of the possibility of death to help us step back and reevaluate,” said Rencountre, a co-organizer of the Facebook group Social Distance Powwow, which sprung up about a month ago as more states and tribes advised people to stay home.
Normally this time of year, a string of powwows hosted by Native American tribes and universities would be underway across the U.S., with tribal members honoring and showcasing their cultures - and socializing, like family reunions.
The pandemic has canceled or postponed virtually all of them, including two of the largest in the U.S. - the Denver March Powwow and the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in April.
Social Distance Powwow has helped fill the void, quickly growing to more than 125,000 members.
Members from different tribal nations post photos and videos of themselves and loved ones dancing, often in their regalia. The page has become a daily dose of prayer, songs, dances, well wishes, humor and happy birthdays.
"The biggest ones, social distance, keep working in whatever it is that brings you joy and helps you keep connected,” said Kor, who is Tarahumara and Wapetonwon Lakota. "And wash your hands!"
The page also hosts a weekly, live powwow with the organizers - Rencountre, Stephanie Hebert and Dan Simonds - assembling a lineup of volunteer drum groups, singers and dancers for the hours-long event. This past weekend, Rencountre patched people in from across the country on the live feed.
A marketplace on the site lets vendors showcase their paintings, beadwork, jewelry, basketry and clothing.
But it offers a way to keep people connected.
Moses learned to dance later in life and now competes in the "golden age” category at powwows. In a video of her Southern Traditional dance, she moves around a dogwood tree in her yard slowly but with high energy.
Moses said the dance meant to calm people helps her cope with the fear surrounding the coronavirus, and the difficulty of staying away from others.
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Tribal members also are posting elsewhere on social media, including youth hoop dancers from Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico.
For those viewing for the first time, Rencountre encourages an open mind.
Leiha Peters grew up doing jingle dress dance meant for healing. The dress is characterized by cone-shaped jingles typically made from the lids of tobacco cans. Now, she does beadwork for her children's outfits and is a Seneca language teacher.
