Most of people view USA as modern society without many cultural traditions. It is further than the truth. In fact, America has rich history of traditions, from Native Americans to new immigrants, every component of society brings in colorful and diversified culture traditions. The more I travel around the world, the more I felt a need to documenting culture traditions near home. Three years ago, I started a project to record Native American tradition around Southern California, especially for its PowWow tradition. PowWow is a kind of competitive dancing form which can be traced back thousand years ago. It involves ceremony, singing, feasting and dancing. I am traveling around Southern California to track PowWow events. Happy to know that more and more Native American Kids are starting to interest in this tradition and participate in those events.
PowWow official starts with a Grand Entry. A colorful and loud enter stadium or event ground for those tribal dancers. Typically the neighbor tribals from Southern California and west USA will send their representatives to join the event. Sometime tribals from as far as Canada will also participate.
Before PowWow starts, women and children gathered in the ground, singing, praying and dancing while waiting the sun is setting into horizon. They called this as “Long Song”
A girl was dancing slowly with Long Song’s rhythm.
Princess and her Gradama
During PowWow, tribal will crown a tribal princess everyyear. The Princess role is to represent the tribal in social events and other tribal’s PowWow.
A tribal Chief posted before the PowWow starts.
a dancer entering the stadium during Grand Entry
A dance team was waiting their term to enter the dance floor
A girl show off her colorful decorated face mask
A young man competing on the dance floor.
Slow shutter speed to capture the dancer’s movement
