The annual Gathering of Nations festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico is set to kick off with a colorful celebration of Native American and Indigenous dancers, musicians, and artisans from around the world. Billed as the largest powwow in North America, the event will feature traditional regalia, rhythmic drumming, and the crowning of Miss Indian World. Powwows, a modern phenomenon that emerged in the 1800s, are a way for tribes to come together and showcase their cultures and traditions. However, some argue that commercialized powwows have overshadowed the deeper cultural significance of these events.
Kiowa Tribe legislator Warren Queton emphasizes the importance of connecting to one’s roots and passing down traditions to younger generations. Smaller powwows in tribal communities serve as a way for people to return home, reconnect with their families and land, and share cultural values. Artist Mateo Romero has captured the essence of powwow dancing in a series of stamps, describing the experience as powerful, hypnotic, and somatic. The stamps, unveiled at the Gathering of Nations, aim to convey the energy, celebration, and beauty of powwow culture.
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