The original dances were held by members of elite warrior societies. They were frequently called Grass Dances and were held for the benefit of tribal members. There were a variety of names used by different tribes for these dances. Among them are Omaha Dance used by the Sioux, Hot Dance used by the Crow, Dakota Dance by the Cree and Wolf Dance from the Shoshone and Arapaho.
The Grass Dance gradually evolved into the Pow Wow. As Natives began to live on the reservations, they had more time to devote to non-survival activities, and dancing became increasingly important. These celebrations were strictly social events until the 1920's when "Contest" dancing became popular. Many local communities still hold social Pow Wows, but the majority of them now involve contest dancing where dancers compete for prizes.
Contests are judged by dance styles and age group. The dancers are judged on their regalia as well as their dancing abilities. Dancing out of beat, losing regalia, and failing to stop on the last drum beat can disqualify a dancer.
The dance arena, also called an Arbor, may be inside or out. It is blessed before the Pow Wow begins and is considered to be sacred ground for the duration of the celebration. There should be no drugs, alcohol, profanity, or boisterous behavior in this area. It should be treated with respect as if you are inside a church. Frequently there are bleachers for spectators to sit on or people bring lawn chairs.
The front seats of the Arbor are for dancers, singers, and their families. Elders are also given preferred places to sit. Awnings should not ever block the view of other spectators.
The Master of Ceremonies keeps the Pow Wow running smoothly. He is the one who announces the events schedule, which drums are to sing and explains ceremonies as they take place. Spectators should listen to him to understand what is taking place and to know when cameras and other recording devices are not to be used. The M.C.'s task is not all serious business though, and he weaves humorous anecdotes and jokes around his official announcements.
The Arena Director is another important person at the Pow Wow. It is his responsibility to make sure the dancers and singers have the amenities they need and to organize the Grand Entry. One of his most important duties is to protect a feather if it drops and to assure the proper pick up ceremony for it.
The Head Dancers are selected by their reputations as dancers and by their knowledge of their traditions and customs. They represent their particular style of dancing and serve as models to the rest of the dancers during the Pow Wow. Being selected as a Head Dancer is an honor. There are usually two, a man and a woman, but some Pow Wows also have a boy and a girl Head Dancer in addition to the adults.
The Host Drum is invited to hold that position at a Pow Wow based in their reputation and knowledge. They must be ready to fill in if there are any gaps in the drum order if another drum isn't ready to sing. Some Pow Wows only have one Host Drum while others have a Northern Host drum and a Southern Host Drum.
At many Pow Wows the Southern Plains tradition of the Gourd Dance is observed. This is a ceremonial dance done only by members of certain warrior societies or clans. Songs are always sung in sets of four, and the group participates in each song four times. Women who are auxiliary members, dance behind the men in an outer circle. While the public is welcome to observe these proceedings, absolutely no photos or recordings of any kind are to be made.
Each dance session begins with a Grand Entry, a procession of dancers. There is often a prayer given prior to Grand Entry. The Flag Bearers lead the procession carrying the Eagle Staff, American Flag, Canadian Flag, and frequently, the MIA-POW flag. Being a Flag Bearer is an honor usually given to a veteran, a respected traditional dancers, or a traditional elder. Indian Royalty are next, consisting of tribal and organizational princesses and other dignitaries. The Head Dancers lead a single file procession of dancers arranged by category and age. Everyone is asked to stand during the Grand Entry and men should remove their head coverings unless it has an eagle feather.
After all the dancers are in the Arbor, a flag song is sung to honor the Eagle Staff and the flags. Then a respected person, usually an elder, offers a prayer. This is followed by a victory song during which the Eagle Staff and flags are placed in their standards. At this time the Master of Ceremonies will introduce the Head Dancers and Royalty.
If there is contest dancing is divided into categories by age and style. The number of categories varies among regions according to local traditions and to the number of dancers.
The age categories begin with Tiny Tots which are children five years old and under; boys and girls ages 6 to 11 are next; then boys and girls ages 12 to 17. The adult categories are divided between men and women ages 18 to 49. The Golden Age category is for men and women over 50.
The men and boys' contests are held for Fancy Dancing, Grass Dancing, Chicken Dancing and Traditional Dancing which can be divided into Northern Style and Straight Dancing.
The women and girls compete in Fancy or Shawl Dancing, Jingle Dress and Traditional Dancing. The Traditional Dancing can also be further divided into Northern and Southern Styles as well as Buckskin and Cloth Dresses.
The men's Fancy Dance originated in Oklahoma. These dancers are noted for their fast footwork, athletic ability, and originality. The large double bustles of brilliant colored feathers distinguish these dancers from other types. Their regalia included angora anklets with sheep bells fastened above them, ribbon shirt, beaded yoke, belt, arm bands, cuffs, and headband. These dancers also wear a porcupine roach on their heads which has one or two feathers attached to them in a spinner.
Grass Dancers wear yokes, breech cloths, and anklets covered with strands of brightly colored yarn. Grass dancers do not wear bustles. On their heads they wear either a bandana or a porcupine roach. The Grass Dance is noted for its fluid movements and sliding steps.
The Traditional Northern Style dance represents a warrior scouting before a battle. Their regalia included a single bustle, usually of eagle feathers, ribbon shirt, bone hair pipe choker and breastplate, breech cloth, leggings, short angora anklets with sheep bells above them, beaded cuffs, belt, arm bands, and moccasins. The dancer carries a dance staff and a fan usually made from the wing of an eagle.
The Chicken Dance originates from the Northern Plains tribes. It has only become popular recently in the Pow-Wow arenas throughout the United States. Chicken Dancers will imitate the mating dance of the prairie chicken by rocking their heads back and forth as if they were pecking at the ground as they spin from side to side in slow majestic movements. Regalia belonging to the Chicken Dance are usually a porcupine hair roach and two long pheasant tail feathers that curl backwards with colored plumes on the end. Traditional dress for the typical Chicken Dancer is very minimalistic. Popular are black colored tight shirts and leggings with a drape covering the chest and back. The fringe for a Chicken Dancer is very short unlike that of a Grass Dancer or Traditional Dancer. The bustle of the Chicken Dancer is small in comparison to that of the Traditional Dancer in that it only uses small pheasant or eagle feathers circling the outside of the bustle board with bunches of small loose feathers or plumes in the center. Bells and sheep or goat skins adorn the dancer’s ankles. Moccasins can be either fully beaded or simplistic in nature. Some dancers choose to wear arm bustles and most will use the typical beaded wrist cuff. Hand carrying items include a mirror board or a gourd in one hand and an eagle tail feather fan in the other.
The Southern Style or Straight Dancer is easily distinguished by the otter skin trailer decorated with mirrors, beadwork, or ribbonwork which hangs down the back. These dancers also wear long sleeved shirts, breech cloth, and legging that are trimmer with ribbonwork. Bone hair pipe and bead bandoliers, fingerwoven yarn garters and slide tabs, a choker of German silver or beads, a wide loomed beaded belt, and a porcupine roach with a single eagle feather plus an eagle feather fan complete the Straight Dancer's regalia.
Women's Fancy or Shawl Dancers wear dresses made of a light weight shiny fabric like taffeta. Their leggings are made from the same fabric or from buckskin. Beaded belt, barrettes, and hair ties finish the apparel. Most important is the shawl which is worn over the shoulders and held out as the dancer steps and twirls. The legend behind the Shawl Dance is of a butterfly who lost her mate in battle. Grieving, she went into her cocoon (shawl) and traveled the world over stepping on each stone until she found beauty in one and was able to begin her life anew. The Shawl Dance is noted for its fancy footwork and fluid movements.
The Jingle Dance comes from the Objibwa Nation. It was popular from 1920 to 1950 and is currently experiencing a strong revival across the nation. The Jingle Dress is made a fabric such as cotton or taffeta and has numerous "jingles" attached to it. These jingles are made from snuff can lids. The distinctive sound they make represents waves of water or thunder and its good luck because it scares away the evil spirits. Moccasins, leggings, beaded or concho belts, neck scarf, bag, and an eagle tail or wing fan completes the regalia. Jingle Dancers are judged on their grace and traditional footwork.
There are two types of Women's Traditional Dresses: buckskin and cloth. Buckskin dresses are usually heavily beaded across the yoke and have long fringe on the sleeves and along the bottom. This fringe represents a waterfall, continuously flowing, giving life, and persevering like an Indian Mother. The cloth dresses are made from trade cloth and have elk teeth, cowrie shells, dentalium shells, or coins sewn in rows across the yoke. Both of these dresses are enhanced with beaded moccasins, leggings, beaded belt or concho belt, beaded hair barrettes, hair ties, and otter skin hair wraps. The Traditional Woman dancer carries a beaded bag, an eagle feather fan, and a shawl folded over her arm. There are two types of Women's Traditional Dance. One, sometimes referred to as Southern Style, is danced clockwise around the Arbor. The other, Northern Style, is danced in one spot.
An Intertribal is a non-contest song that all dancers may participate in. Everyone is welcome to dance, but women are encouraged to wear dance shawls if not in regalia.
A Round Dance is a social dance that all dancers and spectators may participate in. It is done in a clockwise circle stepping to the left in time to the drum beat.
A Blanket Dance is done for a specific purpose such as defraying travel expenses of a special performance group. Several of the Royalty dance around the edge of the Arbor with a blanket outstretched between them to collect monetary contributions or they simply place a blanket on the ground in the middle of the arbor which people are asked to walk out and place money on the blanket.
The Forty-Nine is an impromptu gathering after the Pow Wow events are through for the evening. People gather together to sing "49" songs which are a combination of Native and English lyrics. The lyrics are usually composed by a lover addressing them toward their partner and often have a humorous message tucked into the lyrics. The origin of the name "Forty-Nine" is unclear. One story is that the laments are sung because 50 warriors went to battle and only 49 returned. Another version, from Oklahoma, is that only 49 dancers showed up at a Pow Wow.
Here is a great video by PBS about powwow: VIDEO