Similarities between Native American Pow-Wows and Highland Games

[KFCarter]

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

And I'll second (or third... or fourth) that. It's an excellent book on this very subject.

[Bigkahuna]

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

A number of Southeastern Tribes have various sports competitions along with their PowWows. Blowgun shooting, archery competitions and Lacross are the most common along with footraces. Fry bread will never beat Haggis though.:food-smiley-002:

[macwilkin]

Fry bread will never beat Haggis though.

Purty darn close, though... the Navajo Tacos I used to get across the street from San Xavier del Bac south of Tucson were mighty tasty!

T.

[Rob Wright]

Purty darn close, though... the Navajo Tacos I used to get across the street from San Xavier del Bac south of Tucson were mighty tasty!

T.

Fry bread and Posole is darn tasty too!

Rob

[Riverkilt]

Of course Native American's didn't rodeo before the Vikings discovered North America.

And I'm sure a lot of tribes don't rodeo much. Its like the holy grail with many Navajos. Tossed it in since I didn't know about the athletic competitions mentioned in other tribes. The most athletic thing at pow-wows around here is the incredibly intense dances.

[dfmacliam]

I truely know what you mean, Ron. I have lived out on the Navajo Reservations for several years. My children were raised in the Window Rock area. My daughter and my grandbabies still live there.
I am 1/4 Mohawk, and I have been dancing in the powwows for about 30 years now. I have always told people the similarities between the Celts and the Natives Peoples. Clans are families, extended families.
I walk both Worlds, that's just how it is.... One side compilments the other..Words from the Elders on one side, mirror words from the other..

[Riverkilt]

Aye. Many of my clients are Navajo, Hopi, or Paiute. The painting you use for your avatar hangs in my office. I paid dear for it but it makes such a strong point and I believe its effective in helping break down cultural barriers.

Ron

[Colonel MacNeal]

Of course Native American's didn't rodeo before the Vikings discovered North America.

And I'm sure a lot of tribes don't rodeo much. Its like the holy grail with many Navajos. Tossed it in since I didn't know about the athletic competitions mentioned in other tribes. The most athletic thing at pow-wows around here is the incredibly intense dances.

Especially since various horse species died out in the Americas before humans crossed the land bridge from Asia circa 10,000 BCE.

[Sir William]

Aye...The painting you [Peacekeeper83] use for your avatar hangs in my office. I paid dear for it but it makes such a strong point and I believe its effective in helping break down cultural barriers.

Ron

I have the same print and like it because it shows the link between the two cultures.

This print is also the cover illustration of Calloway's book.

[Dianne B]

I am 1/4 Mohawk..

Greetings my Brother from the opposite end of the Confederacy! My link is to the Seneca people.