[Josiah]

I have been remiss in not posting about this event that occurred last weekend (19 April 2014).

It was a Gourd Dance that was organized by the Kiowa Museum and Kiowa Casino apparently it had been planned for over a year but one thing or another kept getting in the way.

Cy Ahtone MC
Leonard Cozad Jr. Head singer
No Head lady

A very good opening speech by Joe Fish Dupoint, He thanked everybody who came and mentioned that the reason for the Dance was to get all three Kiowa Gourd Dance groups together in a Formal way and dance!! He explained that the dance is a Man's dance and that only men should be in the arena or unless a woman is being honored or sitting at the drum. He went on to say "no disrespect to the women in attendance" they may dance at their chair or outside the perimeter of the arena. Many Lu lu's were heard at this point, he is a well respected Kiowa. He continued with recognizing the Headsmen of the Kiowa Tia-Piah and Oklahoma Kiowa Tia-Piah (Bigbow) and asked that everybody keep politics out of the arena for today we sing and dance as Kiowa's!
The Benches were filled with men and boys in their finest clothes, no short sleeves or ball caps to be seen. Some wore leggings and the black shawl with fringe but they all wore there best. The Starting song was sung by Leonard
And we Danced the Gourd Dance like it was suppose to be, all three groups in attendance!

Oh and one other thing during the final set before supper:
The first song of the set was started by the Gourd Dancers and sung by the Gourd Dancers while they sat on the Bench and that you will only see CARNEGIE!

[txlittlewolf]

I don't understand why people get upset when there is the right way to do things