Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9505010060
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY D. DAVIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
As Arturo Vargas danced around the grass arena and two young boys beat deerskin drums, Susan Pinion said an ``odd'' feeling came over her.
``I could feel movement around me,'' she said. ``I could feel the ground shaking, and [the group] dancing. It was a real tranquil feeling.''
Pinion, a native of Puerto Rico who lives in Roanoke, was ``sacrificed'' in a ceremonial Aztec dance Saturday.
The Aztec Dancers, a group from Mexico City, performed for hundreds in the late afternoon heat at this weekend's powwow, ``The Return of the Monacan Indians to Natural Bridge.''
Vargas, the group's spokesman, said he has been dancing since before he was born. His mother was in the group.
Wearing bright, traditional Aztec clothing and headdresses made of feathers, Vargas, his sister, niece and two nephews dance to convey the importance of preserving culture and family.
``I want to teach them how, in my culture, the family can be all together,'' he said. ``All American people can come together, if they would just be in the family.''
Pinion was one of two volunteers to join the Vargas family in the arena. Vargas was surprised when she spoke to him in Spanish, she said.
Vargas and his nephews showed her how to play the conch shell, drums and flute. She didn't master them all, but the audience clapped loudest for her. She was the chosen one.
Pinion said she wasn't sure what was going on while she was in the circle, because her eyes were closed.
``He was telling me in Spanish to come and lie down in the center of the circle,'' Pinion said, ``and then after awhile he told me to get up and walk with him.
``I guess it is easier for them to have someone who could speak their language.''
This weekend's celebration of Indian heritage and culture also will raise money for the Monacans to buy back sacred land on Bear Mountain near Amherst.
About 20,000 people are expected before the weekend's festivities are over, said George Branham Whitewolf, producer and organizer of this and many other powwows.
``It's turning out real nice,'' he said.
The powwow started Thursday with ``School Days'' for area children. The celebration continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger get in free.
The four-day event is the first at Natural Bridge, a likely setting with an important history for the Monacans.
Monacan legend holds that the arch first appeared when the Monacans prayed for a way to escape an attack by Powhatans and Shawnees.
Around the dance arena, booths and tables hold merchandise, such as handmade turquoise and silver bracelets, beaded necklaces, authentic Indian cuisine and T-shirts.
Throughout Saturday, dancers in full regalia competed for prizes and honored those who did not make it to this day.
``I'm dancing in honor of the Mandan people, who were nearly wiped out due to smallpox,'' said Robert Tucker of Alleghany County. ``I wear a Mandan outfit in honor of those who never made it to this generation.''
Tucker, a high school Spanish teacher, belongs to a group from Fincastle called ``Trail of Tears.'' These descendants of tribes from across the United States travel in caravans to powwows all over the country.
The dancers, craftspeople, storytellers and singers come from all over to celebrate and remind people of their native heritage.
``There is a renewed pride in being Native American,'' Tucker said. ``[The powwow] allows natives from across the United States to renew friendships and build new ones.''
If people take anything away from this powwow, Tucker said, he wants it to be a true sense of what Native America means.
``Understand that natives are not what has been portrayed in the movies,'' he said. ``Native America was defeated in battle, but not in spirit.''
by CNB