By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — For 25 years, some of the best Native American dancers, singers, musicians and craftspeople in the country have been converging along the banks of the Mohican River in Loudonville for the Great Mohican Indian Pow Wow. And this fall, those events promise to be just as exciting and colorful as ever.
The Pow Wow is held twice a year, in July and September, and this fall’s event will take place from Sept. 18-20 at the Mohican Reservation Canoe and Campground, located just south of Loudonville on Wally Road – a 10.41 mile-long designated scenic bi-way that follows the Mohican River as it winds its way through Ashland, Holmes and Knox counties.
Throughout the three-day event, top Native American artisans, vendors and traders will conduct unscheduled demonstrations as well as the numerous scheduled events in the main arena and tents. Authentic Native artisans will display a variety of their wares for sale, including pottery, beadworking, knife making, silversmithing, antler works, quill working, fur trading, silverwork, jewelry, clothes making, wood and bone making, feather working, leather working, basket weaving, Indian paintings, Indian music tapes and CDs and much, much more.
Guests at the pow wow will have the opportunity to hear Native American stories and legends from storyteller Lance White Eagle as well as hear the music of flutist of the year Douglas Blue Feather and the music of the Andes Mountains performed by Malkuri. Visitors will also be treated to tomahawk throwing demonstrations as well.
And of course, dancing will take center stage with featured dancing by the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers, who will showcase their blazing barefoot fire dance as well as other high-energy native dances set to the rhythmic beat of traditional drums. The dancers arrive in the arena donned in elaborate clothing, beads, plumed headdresses and painted faces and come to Loudonville all the way from Mexico City. Visitors will even have the chance to watch the dancers as they prepare for their dancing demonstrations as they prepare their makeup, clothing and don their headdresses.
The Tlacopan group formed about 50 years ago. The Capitain or leader of the group is Tomas Salinas. He has been dancing for more than 45 years and passed on the traditional Aztec dance to members of his group, which currently numbers to more than 150 dancers. He also teaches the young Aztec children who range from 2-12 years old to dance and to carry on the tradition of the ancient style of Aztec dancing.
Wanda Wilson is a full-blooded Mohawk Indian, and she too performs with the group. She provides a narration that helps the audience interpret the dances and the symbolism of the Aztec’s spectacular and colorful regalia. Ritual dances dating back to the pre-Spanish conquest are performed by the Aztecs in their gorgeous, handmade, beaded costumes and colorful headdresses which are adorned with red, blue or yellow macaw feathers and rare five-foot-long pheasant feathers. The dancers accompany themselves with age-old percussion instruments. They mark the rhythm of their dances with chachayote seeds, worn on their ankles. The performance of the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers is very exotic in nature and enables the spectators to step back in time and envision the beauty and cultural richness of the ancient Aztec Indians.
Other featured dancers include world champion hoop dancer Daniel Tramper, a Cherokee Indian from Cherokee, N.C., as well as intertribal dancing. But perhaps one of the highlights of the weekend will be the dance competitions, where more than $9,000 in prize money will be awarded.
Although the Mohican Pow Wow has been going strong for 25 years, the debate over the origins of the pow wow still rages on. Some believe the pow wow originated with the war dance societies of the Ponca and other Southern Plains tribes, while other believe the pow wow originated when Native Americans were forced onto reservations and the government made them have dances for public viewing.
Regardless, today, the pow wow is the Native American people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing and singing and to visit, renewing old friendships as well as making new ones.
The event is held rain or shine, and parking is free. However, no pets or alcohol are permitted on the grounds. Tickets can be ordered online at www.mohicanpowwow.com or purchased at the gate. Adult tickets for those age 13 and up are $8 with child tickets for those 6-12 costing $4. Children under 6 are free. Discounted rates are also available on two- and three-day passes.
In addition, school groups with children up to 8th grade can receive $1 admission on Sept. 18 only with advanced notification. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts also receive 50 percent off admission prices with seniors, veterans and college students receiving a 10 percent discount.
Additional information can be found at www.mohicanpowwow.com |
