Drumming... beat, beat, beat.... Pounding feet on the solid ground, hips swaying, hands flailing...

...What, what, can this be? It’s Pow Wow time! Ever been to a Pow Wow, where you become one with mother earth? Where the music is so intense, that you literally feel that you are part of the “spirit world”, that you are there for a reason? To become one with the earth, air, fire, water, and the spirit?

This is what a Pow Wow does to your soul. If you have been to one, you know what I am talking about. If you haven't, then you really need to attend, just to experience that connection.

I attended my first Pow wow about 4 years ago, when a group of girls and I traveled to Charlestown, Rhode Island, to see the Narragansett Indians and their friends coming together for such a beautiful event. Imagine, scantily clad, dark skinned men, tomahawks, eagle feathers adorning their leather garments, and moving to the rhythm of the drums. I was in heaven! Why, you may ask? Because I, being one with Mother Nature herself, felt at home at this event. (And, oh yeah, watching the men dance, helped!)

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I didn’t have a clue as to what a Pow Wow was, until that day. Tribes from many surrounding areas in Rhode Island came to perform this annual ritual. The “elders”, as they are called, were the first to enter the “circle of life” with their beautifully beaded leather attire, feathers in their hair, hand sewn moccasins, and an Indian blanket draped over the arm, proudly danced around the circle. The elders are highly respected in any tribe, and they are the first to enter the circle. Next came the “women folk” and children, with their hand made garments, and the infamous blanket draped over their arm. The warriors were the last to enter, protecting the circle with their fierce shouting and stomping of their feet, pounding the earth and reaching to the sky, looking for guidance from their spirit world.

The day continued, with various competitions of dancers, both men and women, and each routine telling a “tale” of sorts. As the competition completes its final tabulations, one warrior, one-woman folk, one elder, and one child will have been awarded a prize for best dancer of the event.

Drummers, a gathering of Indian men folk from different tribes, entertained the audience with their passionate music, and also had their own competition. Each sequence of drumming represented a tale in itself. Sometimes the music can become so intense, that you can feel the drumming sounds at the core of your body, your heart, soul and spirit, to become one with nature.

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As I made my way around the passionate event, crafters displayed their wares along the outside of the circle. Most consist of Indian folks selling their possessions, which consists of beaded jewelry, shirts, leather garments, moccasins, feathers, animal skins, bear claws, eagle talons and a host of other articles for making Indian totems and head pieces.

You can also sample a variety of Indian food, such as buffalo burgers, sweet potato French fries, Indian pudding, wild rice and chunks of delicious corn bread. Don't plan on dieting when going to a Pow Wow!

The closing event consisted of the elder men joining in the circle, displaying their tribal garments, and carrying the American flag, a symbol of freedom and justice for all. The drumming sounds slowly diminish, as the circle becomes smaller and smaller, and remembering that one can only enter and depart at one side of the circle. To do so otherwise, shows disrespect to the tribes, and the spirit world. Men and women depart the circle, taking with them a sense of peace as they depart to the homes, only to return the next day for another round of drumming, dancing, and devouring of different foods.

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Plan on attending a Pow Wow, if you get a chance. It will be an event that you will remember for the rest of your life!

Pow wows season usually starts in the early spring, though some are held in the winter. Look for the events posted in the Providence Journal, or get the information on line. A favorite spot of mine for Pow wow events is the Roger Williams Park, usually in August. It is easily accessible from the highway, and is well organized and timely. The event usually starts around 10 am, and lasts until 6 pm. It is a two-day event, sometimes three days. There is usually a parking fee, to help pay for the use of the site. Come, come and enjoy the day. It is worth the trip!

About the author, Linda Eagleson: Linda Eagleson has been a writer for as long as she can remember. She has been published in local papers, anthologies, and columns, and participates in poetry slams throughout the state.

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