powwow
Indigenous ceremonial assembly
Powwow originally refers to a Native American ceremonial gathering featuring dancing, singing, and spiritual rituals—events that remain culturally significant today.
The word has been borrowed into general American English to mean any meeting or conference, often with a casual or planning-oriented tone: Let's have a quick powwow about the schedule.
This informal use can strike some as disrespectful to Indigenous traditions.
Ceremonial emblems of authority
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- grand entryImpressive, showy entrance
- prayerAddress to deity
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
sacred · elder · protocol · respect · giveaway · honoring · memorial · special
Between tribal groups
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
- encampmentTemporary military or refugee settlement
- assemblyConstructing from components
- reunionGathering after separation
homecoming · celebration · fair · festival · convergence · tribal gathering · annual · summer
Gathering for discussion
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
- discussionExchange of ideas
- huddleClose protective gathering
- consultationMeeting seeking expert guidance
brainstorming · talk · chat · deliberation · planning session · get-together · confab · parley
Originating in a region
- Native AmericanOriginal inhabitants of America
- First NationsCanada's non-Inuit indigenous peoples
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- cultureCollective social practices
ancestors · oral history · preservation · identity · tribal · customs · legacy · teachings
Strung ornament craft
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- jinglesBrief advertising melodies
- ribbonSlender ornamental strip
- fringeOutermost edge or margin
bustle · roach · headdress · moccasins · leggings · yoke · cuffs · appliqué
Communal rhythmic gathering
- singersThose who vocalize melodies
- big drumLarge cylindrical percussion instrument
- southern styleRegional American culinary tradition
- heartbeatRhythmic cardiac contraction
push-ups · lead singer · drum stick · rawhide · hand drum · crow hop
Organized competitive event
- categoriesGroups of related things
- judgesLegal proceeding overseers
- prizesAwards for achievement
- pointsUnits of tally
champion · master of ceremonies · registration · numbers · elimination · grand prize · specials · exhibition
regalia
Ceremonial emblems of authority
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- grand entryImpressive, showy entrance
- prayerAddress to deity
blessing · sacred · elder · protocol · respect · giveaway · honoring · memorial · special · two-step
intertribal
Between tribal groups
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
- encampmentTemporary military or refugee settlement
- assemblyConstructing from components
reunion · homecoming · celebration · fair · festival · convergence · tribal gathering · annual · summer · grand entry
meeting
Gathering for discussion
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
- discussionExchange of ideas
- huddleClose protective gathering
consultation · brainstorming · talk · chat · deliberation · planning session · get-together · confab · parley · council
indigenous
Originating in a region
- Native AmericanOriginal inhabitants of America
- First NationsCanada's non-Inuit indigenous peoples
- traditionCustom passed through generations
culture · ancestors · oral history · preservation · identity · tribal · customs · legacy · teachings · language
beadwork
Strung ornament craft
fringe · bustle · roach · headdress · moccasins · leggings · yoke · cuffs · appliqué · quillwork
drum circle
Communal rhythmic gathering
- singersThose who vocalize melodies
- big drumLarge cylindrical percussion instrument
- southern styleRegional American culinary tradition
heartbeat · push-ups · lead singer · drum stick · rawhide · hand drum · crow hop
contest
Organized competitive event
- categoriesGroups of related things
- judgesLegal proceeding overseers
- prizesAwards for achievement
points · champion · master of ceremonies · registration · numbers · elimination · grand prize · specials · exhibition · junior
- Flathead ReservationSalish, tribal government, tribal lands, reservation land, Ronan
- festivalsfestival, festivals, carnival, carnivals, Carnival
- traditionstradition, custom, customs, cultural practices, rituals
- cultural traditionsflamenco, tango, kabuki, hula, capoeira
- American traditionsFourth of July, Thanksgiving, county fair, state fair, rodeo
- chatterchat, chatter, chatting, chitchat, chit-chat
powwowdispersal
Spreading in many directions
scattering · isolation · solitude · disbandment · separation
- powwow danceRhythmic indigenous ceremony