Smoke Signals August 1992 Page 6
When the Eagle Feather Drops
Over two hundred years ago, there was a story about two tribes who were bitter enemies,
always fighting over hunting territories, horses, and women. At that time, most tribes were
nomadic on the plains, following the buffalo and other game.
There was a large war party, estimated in the hundreds, whose dust from their horses
could be seen for miles. The battle went on for days as war parties charged, and then
retreated. Many coup and scalps were taken. During one of the invading parties retreats,
a feather had fallen, and was left behind.
Only distinguished warriors had the right to wear eagle feathers. Each eagle feather
represented a life taken in battle. The notching and coloring of eagle feathers represented
various brave deeds in the taking of an enemy.
One of the warriors who was in pursuit noticed the eagle feather and notified the war
chief. The chief stopped the pursuit and told his warriors, "If these enemies are truly
warriors and respect this feather, they will come back to retrieve it."
So they immediately set up an ambush and waited. Finally, that night, a small group
of the enemy returned, searching the ground and bushes. As they approached the feather,
they were captured, tied, and blindfolded. The captured enemy began singing their death
song, since that fate was inevitable.
But when they were taken to the village, the chief gave a feast and gifts to the captives.
He announced to his people, "Even though we are bitter enemies, the respect and meaning
of the eagle feather is the same. We are all taught by the same Great Spirit and should
respect his teachings." Their wounds were treated, and they were given fresh horses and
sent on their way with this message.
The message still remains among many of the traditional tribes of the plains who follow
the pow-wow way of life. "If our ancestors could stop an entire war to retrieve an eagle
feather, then it should not be too hard to stop a pow-wow to de the same."
Historically and traditionally, it is the right of any wounded warrior to retrieve a fallen
eagle feather. The eagle feather is the spirit of the fallen warrior and can only be matched
in power by the same. This practice still remains over the centuries and should not be
altered because of the consequences. Recording and photographing such a ceremony is
strictly forbidden. The spirit wili show itself in its own time, especially to the young an
innocent.
One cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining a clean body and spirit,
free of any "bad medicine" at pow-wows, especially in the presence of distinguished
warriors.
Over the last number of years, pow-wows have become more that just a tradition, but
a way of life. Ceremonies such as this have not changed because they are the foundation
upon which the pow-wow was created. It is the right of all veterans, dressed in regalia or
not, to dance in any pow-wow arena.
Those tribes that adhere to strict tradition and custom will allow only wounded veterans
to dance and retrieve the spirit of the feather.
The pow-wow of today uses four veterans, representing the four cardinal directions to
dance around the feather. The first two verses are straight verses with no downbeats,
paying respect to the Creator and the spirit of the fallen warrior. The next four verses will
have the dancers charge the feather on the downbeat. The downbeat represents the
cannon and gunfire in any song, so in the case of this ceremony, the veterans are charging
the gunfire of the enemy. Each will charge with his right hand extended to "touch" or take
coup. Those who have not taken coup will use an eagle fan because they are not strong
enough to touch the spirit.
Again, this is very important to follow because of the grave consequences to be paid
if one insults the spirits. After the sixth verse, the honored veteran will pick up the eagle
feather with his left hand and give a warrior whoop to acknowledge the capture of the spirit
feather.
When receiving or touching anything holy, one must always use the left hand. This
tradition is respected by all traditional tribes. Once the feather is picked up, the warrior
will face east and acknowledge the spirit world in his own language. It is imperative not
to lie during the ceremony because of the presence of the deceased warrior. The veteran
is addressing both spirit of the fallen warrior and the spirit world, and he must appease
them by telling an actual war story. This story should be humble, with a lesson or message
for all to learn. Many times these stories have saved lives because of the messages
contained in them.
When the story is finished, the warrior will return the eagle feather to the person who
dropped it. By bringing the spirit back from the spirit world, it wpl return to its owner.
The owner will usually give whatever he can as payment for such a ceremony. It is usually
determined by the amount of respect he has for the eagle feather.
It is wise to ensure that all eagle feathers worn in the pow-wow arena be properly
obtained and cared for traditionally. The feathers should be respected for what they are
a life.
By Boye Ladd, from "Windspeaker
New Zealand's Maori Dance Company to
Perform at Pow-wow
Kahurangi, (meaning "cloak from heaven") New Zealand's only full-time Maori Dance
Company, brings to life the heritage of the native Maori people throgh tribal music and
dance.
The company was formed six years ago, and has accumulated over 200 performances
around the world, including three command performances for Queen Elizabeth II.
One of the main reasons for the foundation of this company in 1984 was to revitalize
the "ihi" or life force of the Maori culture. Another reason was to create cultural and
educational opportunities in the arts' for Maori young people.
A unique feature of Kahurangi is their ability to sing full voice both indoors and
outdoors as well as dance in any performance space. The company travels all over the
world, usually by road, and perform in schools, museums, and for special events. They
have an album, which sells very well in New Zealand. All the performers are graduates
of the Takitimu School of Performing Arts in New Zealand.
The Maori Dance Company will be performing at the Pow-wow Sunday, August 16,
at 1:00 p.m.
; fP
The Kahurangi Maori Dancers will perform at the 1992 Pow-wow
SATURDAY DINNER MENU
Buffalo s Baked Beans
Salmon Green Salad
Com on the Gob
Desert f( the Powwow dinner wi3 be pot-tuck
style. Therefore, please bring the fruit or desert of
your choice.