One of the loudest events I ever went to wasn’t even a rock concert…it was a Pow Wow held inside a gym at San Jose Community College on May 2, 2009.
With constant drumming, chanting and dancing amplified by multiple BOSE speakers inside the college’s gym, there was very little talking at this event, as it should be. After all, this was a revered exhibition to be experienced, not discussed.
The general purpose of Pow Wows is to allow different Native American tribes to reconnect with each other, the Earth and the Great Spirit. Dancing, singing and ceremonies are still performed the same way as their ancestors did before them.
This year, the American Indian Council for Higher Education (AICHE) of the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District held its first college Pow Wow. Their own goal is to increase Native American student enrollment while still engaging in the traditions of their ancestors. Master of the Ceremonies, Richard Charging Eagle, offered his opinion about promoting higher education, “Casino work should not be young Native Americans’ only career choice.”
There was no fee to enter, but I bought a Pow Wow t-shirt for $15 at the gym entrance to support the AICHE. The proceeds from the t-shirt and food sales support scholarships for Native Americans attending local colleges.
Outside, a mere dollar could buy either a freshly cooked Indian-style taco, a soft drink, or a typical American hot dog. The cooks worked tirelessly all day but still had time to smile and say hello to their customers. Since food was not allowed in the gymnasium where the ceremonies were being performed, participants and spectators ate and socialized outside on the college’s grassy areas.
Inside, the feverish beat shook both the walls and the ground, making film shooting and simple transactions with vendors a little challenging but do-able. Using simple hand gestures to indicate dollar amounts, I bought a Native American rattle for $8 (a black tortoise hand-painted on a dried gourd with seeds inside): I thought it was a good price for a unique keepsake I’ll probably have forever.
In fact, all of the hand-crafted items were accessible to view and touch, and both cash and credit cards were accepted by the quiet vendors.
In one corner of the gym, three women silently beaded jewelry at a long table, rarely looking up. Close to the dancing arena, there were three tables pushed together where volunteer babysitters sat with plenty of crayons and coloring books to keep the little ones busy. All seemed oblivious to the constant, rave-like beat.
Though I went to my first “inside-style” Pow-Wow without great expectations, my ears were still ringing and my heart was still beating hard to the rhythm of the drums when I left with my shaky footage, Native American rattle and Pow Wow T-shirt. I was energized for hours.
SJECCD’s first Pow Wow was an experience to be seen, felt and heard and not overanalyzed. If you missed this May event, don’t worry: rain or shine, another
heart-pounding Pow Wow is planned for next summer.
