Powwow

Indigenous ceremonial gathering

Powwow originally refers to a Native American ceremonial gathering featuring dancing, singing, and cultural traditions.

The word has been borrowed into general English to mean any meeting or conference, often with a casual or collaborative tone: Let's have a quick powwow about the project.

This informal sense can strike some as dismissive of the cultural original.

ceremony

gathering

Collection of people meeting

drumsStruck membrane instruments
dancingRhythmic bodily motion
regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority

elders · sacred · circle · feathers · prayers · chanting · traditions · honor · ancestors · tobacco

informal

meeting

Gathering for discussion

discussionExchange of ideas
huddleClose protective gathering
conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion

chat · consultation · brainstorm · talk · parley · confab · caucus · session · roundtable · sit-down

competition

dancers

People who move rhythmically

grand entryImpressive, showy entrance
jingle dressIndigenous ceremonial healing garment
fancy shawlDecorative shoulder wrap

grass dance · traditional · chicken dance · hoop dance · judges · arena · prizes · categories · announcer · veterans

cultural

Indigenous

Original inhabitants of land

Native AmericanOriginal inhabitants of America
First NationsCanada's non-Inuit indigenous peoples
tribalOf a clan

heritage · intertribal · reservation · community · identity · sovereignty · language · customs · teachings · protocols

social

reunion

Gathering after separation

feastElaborate ceremonial meal
vendorsThose who sell goods
fry breadDough cooked in oil

bannock · camping · family · friends · visiting · laughter · sharing · hospitality · giveaway · honoring

Powwow

gathering

meeting

dancers

Indigenous

reunion

Powwow

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family