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- DictionaryPow·wow/ˈpouˌwou/
noun
- 1. a North American Indian ceremony involving feasting, singing, and dancing.
- 2. a conference or meeting for discussion, especially among friends or colleagues. informal
verb
- 1. meet or confer: informal "news squads powwowed nervously"
A powwow (also pow wow or pow-wow) is a gathering with dances held by many Native American and First Nations communities. Powwows today are an opportunity for Indigenous people to socialize, dance, sing, and honor their cultures. Powwows may be private or public, indoors or outdoors.
Oct 30, 2011 · The term “ powwow ” is actually a North Eastern Woodland word belonging to the Narragansett Language and the closest English translation is “ meeting.” The modern day powwow evolved from the Grass Dance Societies that formed in the early 19 th Century.
a council or conference of or with Native Americans. (historically, among North American Indians) a ceremony accompanied by spiritual, religious, and ritual practices, along with dancing, performed for the cure of disease, success in a hunt, etc. (among Native Americans) a priest or shaman.
a meeting of Native Americans for making decisions or for having spiritual ceremonies or celebrations. [ C usually singular ] humorous. a meeting in which something important is discussed: My brother's getting divorced so I'm going home for a family powwow this weekend. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.
The term “powwow” derives from Pau Wau, meaning “medicine man” in Narrtick, a language spoken by the Algonquian peoples in Massachusetts. English settlers began misusing the word to refer to the meetings of Indigenous medicine men, and later to any kind of American Indian gathering. American Indians have since reclaimed the term. Nineteenth Century
Powwow definition, a large gathering organized by Native Americans for socializing, dancing, singing, and celebrating their culture. See more.
Add to word list. [ C ] a meeting of Native Americans for making decisions or for having spiritual ceremonies or celebrations. [ C usually singular ] humorous. a meeting in which something important is discussed: My brother's getting divorced so I'm going home for a family powwow this weekend.
