Blessing the Arena

[rabbitbelly]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by powwowbum:
[B]Actually, there's a blessing of sorts before the arbor is even set up; feeding the pole. Obviously this isn't a Cherokee or Lenapi thing. When there's a flag pole in the center, the whole the pole is set in is sometines "fed" by placing specific foods in the hole.


I think you have this confused with the offerings of food made to the sundance tree. What sacredness does a flagpole have!!!???

[Robert Laughing Owl]

I personally like to see it done before the pow wow, before the crowds. I think the whole public blessing of the arena is just another way for some of these people to look like big indians, ya know? I think it is alot more meaningful to see maybe 2 or 3 people doing it like early morning before the pow wow...and the right way without all this criss crossed christian indin stuff...a opening prayer is ok with me but that should be atotally different thing from blessing the arena

------------------
Robert Laughing Owl
SC-AIM
http://community.wolfstar.com/sc-aim

[powwowbum]

Rabbitbelly raised the point that “feeding” the flagpole really belongs to the Sundance. That’s certainly where feeding has it’s roots, and in my opinion where it should remain. But, Jimmy (Eagle) Shafer transposed the practice to the powwow circuit in the late 70’s. He also started powwow groups using a pipe to bless the arbor.

I’m certainly in no position to question Jimmy, as I know his values are very traditional. My personal preference, however, is to avoid just about anything and everything that would perpetuate the misconception that a powwow is a religious event. My friend, Big O, used a great analogy; “Think of it like a bingo hall; it might be connected to the church but it’s clearly a social event.” I’m firmly with the consensus that blessings should be done in a discrete manner, perhaps with offering tobacco around the circle and a prayer of gratitude.

I recently saw Joe Fish, as an Arena Director, stop someone from “smudging” the arbor. Joe corrected the situation, saying that “smudging” is done for very specific reasons and since this is a social event, it’s in appropriate. I was glad to see a person, like Joe, with strong convictions in the capacity of AD because some of these practices are getting out of hand.

My sincere apologies for any confusion that my prior posting may have caused. Hope this helps clear things.

Peace, Powwowbum

[Robert Laughing Owl]

i personally smudge myself before and after I put on my regalia...but i belive this to be a personal preference...i dont have problem with people smudging the arbor but i can agree that in some cases these things are taken to far.

------------------
Robert Laughing Owl
SC-AIM
http://community.wolfstar.com/sc-aim

[watches clouds]

Originally posted by HeyDad!!:
Here we go again with the proper terminology. My suggestion to all those who want to discuss the use of words in blessing an arena/circle is to refer to the definition of both terms. You'll find that either/or will work and can be used interchangeably. Should we use one term throughout the dance and the other when blessing the "dance area"? Only the person who's blessing the "grounds" knows what term he's using, unless you're making a big public show of it. Oh and to let you know I've heard that a tribe in South Carolina is using the term wheel to refer to the dance arena.

[This message has been edited by HeyDad!! (edited May 26, 2000).]

i guess you mean the edisto tribe?
just asking

[watches clouds]

Originally posted by DevilsAdvocate:
WOW! What is proper terminology? I think it is personal preference. Circle, Wheel, arena. Who cares what you call it as long as you are inside of it for the right reason? Personally, money/competition is not the right reason. All this about SC. Is this board based in SC, or what? SC must be very controversial for some reason or another. What's up with that, eh?

i agree with you kola. it does not matter what we call it as long as we are in it. and having a good time while reapscting the creator! and the comp. and money thing i agree with as well. and i do not understand why sc keeps on being brought up . i may live in sc but i am not from here! lol.i am a texan!! lol i am from the west side baby!lol

[watches clouds]

Originally posted by OnTheRoad:
Devil's Advocate:
For the most part, the powwow scene here in SC sucks. There are however a few people who have a clue about what is going on. I can think of one dance here that is worth going to.

OTR

i agree with you as well. the pow wows in sc do SUCK BIG TIME. and what pow wow is it that you seem to like? maybe we go to the same one.

[Nativeheartswoman]

Watches Clouds,
Maybe you haven't been to the right SC pow wow yet. I have been to several in this state. Some are not so good or impressive, but that just depends on what you go to pow wow for at that particular time. If you can get to them, try them. I know you will with an open heart because that appears to be your way! Maybe we will meet at one of these soon, eh?
Walk in peace, Little Sister!

[paraivo]

FYI---the idea of feeding the pole is not just a Sundance idea. The voladores im Mexico "feed" the pole before it is set up. There was also a question about the sacredness of the flagpole, In some of the older dance grounds in southwest OK, the flagpole is inside the danceground across the arena from the MC area. The reason for this is because the flagpole replaced the old scalp pole. It is setting in the same place the old scalp pole used to be placed. This is not a sacred place, but is one of importance which I think many have forgotten. I have heard several people over the years wonder why the flagpole was way out in center field. Just some observations that I thought I would throw in. There are very few absolutes in this life....

[rabbitbelly]

Well, some new info! Thank you Paraivo for your input, but I'm sure, as these things go, that this feeding the pole was probably derived from the Sundance tradition, that's all I was saying. As far as the flag/scalp pole thing, what tribe is this from, because I know that in northern traditions the scalp pole was usually held by a female family member, not placed in the ground, like a flag pole. Either way, I don't think, and I'm assuming this, that this was the motivation behind the original feeding the pole comment.