Powwow Room Observation Report

The room is bursting with energy–vendors sell their ware, people mingle, and the sound of music and dancing fills the room. The On Wisconsin Annual Spring Powwow presented by Wunk Sheek and the University of Wisconsin-Madison has officially begun. The Arena at the Alliant Energy Center has been split to create two sections, on one side merchants have set up booths where they are selling anything from beaded jewelry to food. The other side of the room has been transformed into an arena area, a large red, square mat covers the floor. People sitting on chairs and in the bleachers surround the mat hoping to get a good view of the action. The arena is where all of the dancing and music is performed during the Powwow. It is considered a sacred area and must be treated with respect. Only performers should step into the arena and observers are asked to refrain from profanity and inappropriate behaviors when nearby. The arena is filled with dancers dressed in traditional, colorful regalia. The regalia varies by dance but often has geometric patterns or beading and is often ornamented with moving objects that add to the dance quality. Dancing is an important part of Native American culture; this is evident by the centrality of dance at the Powwow. The room is filled with …show more content…
In the past, only solo voices and few instruments could be recorded clearly. In addition, only around three minutes of a song could be recorded which means only parts of a piece were preserved. These weaknesses and the many voices and sounds at a powwow prevented field recordings of powwows. Instead many powwow traditions and songs were passed down through oral transmission. Many powwow participants said that they had been participating in powwows since they were young and learned the song repertoires and dances through their elders. The participants take pride in their culture and view the powwow as a way to maintain