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Cultures flow together to make a powwow
By EBONY WINDOM
"In books, they speak of the Aztecs in the past tense. There are native people from North America to South America," the 27-year-old Mexico City resident told an audience of about 100 who sat circled around her. Salenas is a member of the Aztec Fire Dancers. The dancers are a family of five, who performed Friday at the Native American Powwow at Withlacoochee River Park for the first time. Nearly 6,000 people are expected to attend the event, which runs Friday through Sunday. Formerly held on Mother's Day weekend and known as the Mother's Day Powwow, the event is an exchange of traditions and cultures, organizers say. "It's great to be able to expose ourselves to other cultures," Salenas said. "I've learned from other cultures," she said. The Aztec Fire Dancers wear brilliantly colored, ornate, hand-sewn sequin dresses. Tall, intricate pheasant feathers adorn their headdresses as they chant and dance to the beat of the drums. Albert Robinson, 2, dances in front of the group. The dancers' movements speed up with the pace of drumbeats. Salenas, Albert's mother, says the dances are a part of her family's heritage. "It's a family tradition. It's not a show; it's not entertainment," Salenas said. "When I was 8 months' pregnant with my son, when I heard the drums, my belly would start dancing. Now he can't go to sleep without the drums." Nearly 150 children from Eastside Elementary School near Ridge Manor watched the dancing and were amazed at the regalia. "They're very colorful," said 9-year-old Ashley Kish. "They had to pull them (feathers) out of some kind of animal to stick them on?" Kaylen Tejera, 9, asked her chaperone. Some of the girls at the event wore blue feathers in their hair that they bought from vendors. More than 40 covered booths surround the event's main gathering area. Traders, as they're called, peddle everything from turquoise and silver jewelry to paintings. Dave Spottedhawk, 57, of Spring Hill, walked into Ray and Rosie Johnson's canopied Dealer's Supply booth. Spottedhawk walked out with nearly 60 square feet of tan buckskin. "I'm going to make me a pair of leg pants that flare out like old bell bottoms," Spottedhawk said. Spottedhawk is a self-proclaimed American Indian history buff. "I do enjoy pre-history and reading archaeological articles," he said. Spottedhawk said the sewing project could take 12 hours to complete. "I'll wear them this fall at the powwow in Lakeland," he said. The Johnsons supply many of the dancers with materials for their regalia. They sell animal skins, feathers and beads to the public, too. When people visit Xico Huhtl's booth, he takes the time to explain the origin and meaning of the items he sells. Huhtl's family sells goods such as necklaces and dream catchers underneath the white linen tent. Bradley Pilgrim, 9, a student at Eastside Elementary School examined a peach colored dream catcher with small feathers dangling and a netted center. "According to traditions, bad dreams never come back," Huhtl said. Bradley looked interested. "So, no nightmares, huh?" he asked. The event was a first for the Musgroves of Trilby. "I enjoy events like these because my great-grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee," Hayward Musgrove said. "We got separated from her as a kid. I like to come out here and see what I missed out on," he said. People say they learn interesting facts about American Indians at the powwow. "There are many stereotypes about native people. I hope that others can see native peoples for who they are, not what they are," Salenas said. There will be performances from flutist, Joseph Z, Singing Hawk, and dancers, Deez Guyz and All Nations Warrior Drum group.
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