THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 29, 1996 TAG: 9607290063
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 37 lines
There are very few of them left, but this weekend, the remnants of the people who used to rule America gathered in Richmond to celebrate and preserve their heritage.
Indian tribes from throughout Virginia and the United States met for the annual Rising Water/Falling Water Pow-Wow.
``It's so easy to lose sight of your heritage,'' said Nokomis Lemons, an organizer of the event. ``There's a very strong front right now that is trying to prevent that from happening.''
Named for the water of the Rappahannock River, the powwow was started five years ago to educate the public on the often misunderstood culture of the Indians, Lemons said.
``It's a gathering of the people to socialize together in music, in conversation and in dancing.''
The powwow featured a dance competition, drumming demonstrations and 28 vendors selling all-things Indian: from fry bread, a traditional Indian treat, to drums and jewelry.
About 200 people gathered Saturday to watch the 85 dancers in the competition make their grand entry.
Each category of dance has a distinctive style, from the slow, deliberate steps of the traditional women dancers to the exuberant gyrations of the male war dancers.
There is a story behind each dance.
As nurturers, the women must keep their feet close to the earth during their dance to massage it and to coax it to grow.
The men's war dance is an athletic exercise performed by the younger members of a tribe to establish a pecking order and to single out the best and bravest male. by CNB