round dance for contest

[tribaltagz]

So here's a question.... when you contest and get a round dance as your contest song, do you dance slow or fast?

[NorthofAda]

Southern style - fast...

[WhoMe]

So here's a question.... when you contest and get a round dance as your contest song, do you dance slow or fast?

tribal,

There are lot's of variables in this question.

The term "southern" (and "northern") describes multiple tribes. Thus there are different southern round dance style songs (soldier dance, war mothers, scalp dance, 49, modern round dance) dictated dancing slow or fast. Different tribes also had tribal protocol for "round dancing." At many Oklahoma powwows, when a round dance at a powwow takes place, the head woman dancer more often than not, begins the round dance by dancing slow and other ladies join her. However some ladies prefer or often want to dance inbetween the men. If the head man dancer is dancing slow or fast, they follow suit.

In contests it is important to see who is judging and know what type of round dancing they feel is appropriate. Also many southern style ladies buckskin dancers have "adopted" the northern and NW/Plateau style of round dance through intertribal exchange. Some dancers come from tribes who have adopted powwow ways and dance according to what they see other dancers doing.

Finally many dancers have an individual preference on whether to dance slow or fast.

It is my observation that dancers who dance "fast" usually win the "big" southern buckskin contests.

[misterE]

Whome since you mentioned war mother songs, have you ever seen or heard of anyone singing a war mothers song for... let's say golden age buckskin contest song. Just a random thought that came to me while reading this post.

[WhoMe]

Whome since you mentioned war mother songs, have you ever seen or heard of anyone singing a war mothers song for... let's say golden age buckskin contest song. Just a random thought that came to me while reading this post.

mister,

Uh huh. But they sang it without the words.

[shawndaes]

The term "southern" (and "northern") describes multiple tribes. Thus there are different southern round dance style songs (soldier dance, war mothers, scalp dance, 49, modern round dance) dictated dancing slow or fast. Different tribes also had tribal protocol for "round dancing." At many Oklahoma powwows, when a round dance at a powwow takes place, the head woman dancer more often than not, begins the round dance by dancing slow and other ladies join her.

Wow good point. I usually dance fast and as a Kiowa never bow. I usually don't change my style according to the judges, I dance my style and feel good about it. Most judges don't know why people dance a certain way and don't bother to ask. I remember one of my elders, who is a champion dancer who I learned from, getting yelled at by her mother after bowing at an honor beat durring contest "Kiowa's never bow". However I didn't ask why. I always find it funny, you're never too old to be scolded by your mother.