Powerful Pow Wows
Each culture has its celebrations. St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the Irish on March 17, Bastille Day in July gets a warm reception at Santa Barbara’s French Festival and German Oktoberfest arrives in the Fall with popular festivals and beer parties throughout September and October. But what about Native American culture? With over 100 recognized tribes in California there actually is a California Native American Day, declared by Ronald Reagan (in 1968) to be the 4th Friday in September. In 1998 the California Legislature went a step further by passing Assembly Bill No. 1953, establishing the day as an official day of education. Unlike drinking cocktails and wearing green for St. Pat’s or lederhosen and dirndls for Oktoberfest, Pow Wows in California are typically alcohol and drug-free events with costumes not easily purchased at Party World. Learning about Pow Wows is more of a hands-on process of attending and watching the show which involves drumming, dancing, costumes and music.
Here are some upcoming Pow Wows you’re invited to
- Malibu Chumash Powwow April 11 & 12, 2015 at Malibu Bluffs
- UC Davis Powwow April 11, 2015 on the East and West Campus Quad
- San Diego State University Pow Wow April 25, 2015 held at ENS Softball Field
- Paradise Pow Wow July 11 and 12, 2015 on the grounds of the Gold Nugget Museum
