The Gathering Begins
by: Gail Lang

People begin to gather, some searching for something deep in their souls, some looking for old friends, and others curious and searching for knowledge. It is an extraordinary sight to behold, Native Americans in traditional garb gathering for their annual powwow.

The Edisto tribe of South Carolina hosts this powwow to preserve Edisto heritage and traditions among themselves and to teach others who they are and where they came from. The Edisto gather to share their history and culture with all who come. These people, both proud and meek, offer a peaceful haven for the weekend.


Michael Creel of the Edisto Tribe
Eldest Son of Chief Matthew Creel
The Edisto, as with other Native Americans, are strengthened by their religion, the bond which holds them together. Throughout history it was the strength of their belief in the Great Spirit and his ways which helped them endure great injustices. The powwow is one way the tribal leaders bring the people together, preserving their heritage, history and culture and helping them become well-rounded, proud tribal members.


Sights and sounds fill your senses as you try to absorb all that transpired. In every action there is meaning. Each step sets a path for others to follow. Not fully understanding the importance of what is happening, the crowd sits silently as the tribal elders cleanse the circle to make it holy for the dance and ceremonies. Many do not understand the significance of the rituals. No photographing is permitted during this holy and sacred time. Silently, the elders fill a great seashell from the Mother Earth with sage, sweetgrass, tobacco and cedar, the four sacred herbs. These herbs, used by Eastern tribes to purify the circle, are believed to hold great powers. The smoke that rises as they burn carries up the prayers of the people. John Blackfeather represents the people as the Master of Ceremony, a place of high honor at a powwow. Without saying a word, he holds the shell of herbs and stands at the entrance of the circle. He bows reverently to each of the four directions. Blowing the smoke to them with an eagle's feather and sending the prayers of his people, he honors each of the four directions that lead our paths in life. He continues honoring the whole that makes up our direction and destiny, the seven parts: north, south, east, west, up, down and here. Those seven make us who we are and guide our daily paths. They're in the rhythms, the times, the seasons, in all that we do. In all existences the seven supports the four.

John continues slowly walking the circle, blowing the sacred smoke to the winds, and bowing to the directions. Finally, he moves to the center and sprinkles some of the burning sacred herbs where a fire would have been in ancient times. These moments hold great meaning to all Native Americans present no matter what tribe or nation they represent. The ritual symbolizes all their beliefs. The four directions of the circle each have a color that represents the peoples of the world, red, black, yellow and white, the four races of man. The colors also have secondary meanings. Some tribes use other colors such as green for Mother Earth. Whenever you see colors and numbers represented by Native Americans, whether in ceremony or in their clothing, each has symbolic meaning because nothing in Indian life is without meaning.


Native Americans: Edisto Powwow 1997
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