Image: Author Paul Langston (r) and his granddaughter at Mashpee Powwow, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
As we approached the Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow, we were comforted by the rhythmic tribal drums and the drawn-out cadence calls. These native cries always comforted my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother as they paid respect to their native ancestry and heritage by attending the powwow. It was only natural that the elders brought my sister and me, who were kids at the time, to this annual event, upon resuming attendance after not doing so for years.
Now I bring my granddaughter to the Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow, which is always held in July on the Tribal Council grounds. This year, it was held on July 6th, and my granddaughter, her grandmother, and I attended.
After arriving and paying the very reasonable admission ($10.00 elder, $15.00 adult), we entered a native bazaar of canopied tents filled with an array of colorful hand-carved toys and novelties, hats/caps, T-shirts, crystals, decorative seashells, and more. There was also handmade sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, carved bone native chokers, and Native American earrings. There were all kinds of styles for all kinds of tastes.
The tribal dancers performed the dances that my granddaughter enjoyed so much. When I began bringing her as a little girl, there was a male tribal dancer who would do summersaults during his dance. My granddaughter tried copying him (as much as a six- or seven-year-old could, while he danced), but she only accomplished looking like Pig Pen from the Peanuts cartoon. The most important thing was that she had a blast.
Now when I ask her what she enjoys about the powwow, she replies that she loves the family tradition of going, jewelry shopping, tribal dances, etc.
This being said, if you’re ever in Massachusetts in first week of July, go online to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council, get the dates of the powwow, and pay them a visit.
You will enjoy it!
