Similarities between Native American Pow-Wows and Highland Games

[Riverkilt]

Native Americans and Scots have much in common. Sadly, we are both conquered peoples who have been told we could not wear our Traditional garments, speak our Native tongues, or play our Native music. We both overcame those bans and remain righteously proud peoples.

When Native Americans gather to Pow-Wow, or descendents of Scottish emigrants gather at Highland Games we bring our whole family, we gather in clans/tribes, we proudly wear wide variations of our Traditional dress, we hold opening ceremonies, we compete with pipe bands/drumming groups, we compete with Traditional dances, vendors descend upon the gatherings selling Traditional wares and Traditional foods.

I think one of the few differences is that Scots hold their athletic competition at the games while Native Americans split that out at rodeos.

And it sure feels good to gather and celebrate.

Ron

[Dan R Porter]

But this is also common with many cultures! See, we all have so much in common.

[macwilkin]

Colin Calloway discusses this in his book White People, Indians and Highlanders: Tribal People and Colonial Encounters in Scotland and America:

http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/genera...=9780195340129

It's a very interesting look at the special relationship between Highland Scots and Native Americans in Colonial America.

T.

[IrishGodfather]

Very intersting, and it is nice to celebrate your heritage and gather with family and friends!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Interesting. I wasn't aware that the American-Indian population took part in rodeos before the arrival of the European settlers.

[Brother Falldown]

Native Americans and Scots have much in common. Sadly, we are both conquered peoples who have been told we could not wear our Traditional garments, speak our Native tongues, or play our Native music. We both overcame those bans and remain righteously proud peoples.

When Native Americans gather to Pow-Wow, or descendents of Scottish emigrants gather at Highland Games we bring our whole family, we gather in clans/tribes, we proudly wear wide variations of our Traditional dress, we hold opening ceremonies, we compete with pipe bands/drumming groups, we compete with Traditional dances, vendors descend upon the gatherings selling Traditional wares and Traditional foods.

I think one of the few differences is that Scots hold their athletic competition at the games while Native Americans split that out at rodeos.

And it sure feels good to gather and celebrate.

Ron

Ron,
A very interesting observation! Having lived in Winslow a number years, surrounded as it were by both the Navajo and Hopi Nations I have experienced exactly what you speak of. I just never made the connection.

[Sir William]

Colin Calloway discusses this in his book White People, Indians and Highlanders: Tribal People and Colonial Encounters in Scotland and America:

http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/genera...=9780195340129

It's a very interesting look at the special relationship between Highland Scots and Native Americans in Colonial America.

T.

You beat me to it, but I completely agree that this book highlights the special relationship - culturally, tribally, and militarily - between the American Indian and the Scottish Highlander.

[Devlyn]

You also beat me to it. I am currently reading this book, and I recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

[Rex_Tremende]

While we're at it, compare and contrast clans and tribes, please?

Regards,
Rex.

[macwilkin]

While we're at it, compare and contrast clans and tribes, please?

Regards,
Rex.

Read Calloway's book.

T.