Powwow & Seminole Tribal Fair at the Hard Rock Hotel - Fort Lauderdale 

From 7^th to 10^th February 2008 there was the 37th Seminole Tribal Fair & Powwow on the premises at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

The rodeo friends came to their costs at the Bill Osceola Memorial Rodeo. The several different events like fair, Indian dance, Indian music and rodeo were performed at different locations on the site.

There were 4 days with the fun and attraction of adults and children. Many school children attended with their teachers at this event to learn more about the Seminole. Right next to the music stage was a small Indian village installed where the visitors could see the daily life in such a village and asked their questions.

For those who were interested in the Native American Arts and Crafts Fair there were a lot of different selling location where the vendors offered their goods and you could spend your money. The highlight of the Powwow however was the dance competitions. This competition took place on several days in the Hard Rock Live-Hall. 

Powwow 

During 3 rounds of context in three days the dancers had to demonstrate their dancing skills and were assessed. Only dancers who were registered and participated in all registered rounds of dancing had the chance to win the grand prize which was awarded on Sunday.

In this dance competition the participants competed within their age group in the different categories of dances such as Smoke-Dance or Fancy Feather Dance for men and Fancy Shawl Dance or Women's Traditional. The age range was for example under 40 years of age or golden age. The participants of each dance group must meet these requirements in order to be allowed to dance.

The music for these dances was made by beating a large drum and the singing of men around the drum. Each dance has its own drum rhythms and vocal passage to which the dancers performed the ritual dance movements.

In addition to the dance the costumes of the dancers were rated. The costumes vary depending on the dance category in which they were used. The dancers of the Fancy Feather Dance for example wear two large feathered wreaths one at the back and one on the shoulders and an additional headdress made of feathers.

The women who danced the traditional dance wore a dress with a long throw over with fringes and parts of this throw around the shoulders were decorated with rich ornaments of beads.

As a completion to the individual costumes the dancer wore moccasins and cuffs on the arms and legs, belt and loincloth, which were also richly decorated with beads.

Further elements especially of the women’s costumes were different shoulder cloths and feather fans, hair bands and clips with feathers in the braided hair of the ladies. 

Rodeo 

At the rodeo grounds were the adult and children riders who showed their skills in riding and lasso throwing. The horse riding skill test required the participants to master three oil drums course in the fastest possible time. The youngest participants in this competition could hardly walk and dad ran as a guide beside her horse.

In the lasso throwing contest the participants had the task to throw a lasso over the neck of small cattle. The time for this exercise was stopped and the fastest pitcher was the winner.

For the true cowboy and country fans the traders in the Rodeo Hall were a good address. There you could buy goods from a saddle to spurs and hats you could buy everything from elegant to rustic. 

Seminole Tribe Fair 

On the open and next to the halls where the dances were performed there were many booths with Indian crafts. The vendors there displayed their standing and wall sculptures made from metal and wood. 

For the ladies there were many pretty jewelry items such as necklaces, hair clips and belt buckles made from small dainty beads in many different colors. These beads are also used for decorating the dance costumes.

Besides the jewelry vendors offered their typical handmade dolls and baskets as well as the traditional Seminole fashion: shirts and jackets with the typical patterns of Seminole patchwork. 

All these goods were individual pieces and they were not industrially produced. The buyer received a unique piece of Indian goods.

 
This event takes place every year in February and a visit is a must if you are in the area of Southeast Florida at this time.

 

 

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