By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun

     EL CAJON — Thousands of Kumeyaay Indians and Native Americans from across the country as well as Canada, gathered in El Cajon last weekend for the 17th Annual Pow Wow and Traditional Gathering.
     For three days over the weekend, drum beats resonated in the hills as pow wow participants danced, sang, took part in various games, and showcased native cuisine, customs, crafts and ceremonies.
     Dressed in multi-colored traditional costume, with beads, bells and feathers, hundreds of dancers from various categories faced off for more than $90,000 in cash prizes.
     “The drums are the heart and soul of any celebration,” according to one of the event judges.
     This year’s host Northern Drum was represented by Thundering Spirit from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: The host Southern Drum was represented by Southern Outlawz, from Shiprock, New Mexico.
     Competitors participated in categories such as men’s grass dance, ladies jingle dress dance, ladies southern cloth dance, men’s northern traditional dance, men’s fancy war dance, ladies traditional buckskin dance, ladies fancy shawl dance and men’s southern straight dance. Each category of dance has it’s own style and costume.
     A pow wow, or “celebration,” is a time for people to get together, sing, dance, renew old friendships and make new ones. Pow wow had religious significance as well; it was a time for families to hold naming and honoring ceremonies. The entire celebration is a prayer to one called Wakan Tanka — the Great Mystery.
     “The pow wow is a very special time for me personally,” said tribal chairman Daniel Tucker. “It is a time to reflect and truly appreciate our culture. It also reminds us of how important it is to pass down the wonderful traditions from our ancestors.”
     The Sycuan pow wow circle was the focal point of the weekend’s celebrations. The circle is an important symbol to Indian cultures.
     At a pow wow the dancers are in the center of a circle, and the audience forms a large circle around them. Every person has a place in the circle of people, there are no spectators at a pow wow; everyone is a participant.
     “There is a wonderful spirit that radiates during a pow wow,” Tucker said. “There is a tremendous sense of unity.”
The pow wow season runs from March to September, and some families will travel all over the country attending various celebrations.