The 34th annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow will kick off on California Native American Day on this Friday, Sept. 26 and last through Sun- day, Sept 28. Admission is free.
Ranked the nation’s most popular pow- wow by PowWows.com, the Morongo Pow- wow will welcome more than 900 dancers and 20 drum groups from across the U.S. and Canada. This free, family-friendly event invites the public to experience Native American culture through traditional dance, music, food, and art.
Each day is highlighted by the Grand En- try, a vibrant parade of color and sound that features hundreds of dancers in traditional regalia swirling to the music of competitive drum groups and singers.
Spectators also will see Native Americans drummers, bird singers along with dancers from across North America and Canada. Dozens of vendors will be on hand, selling Indian tacos, tamales, and fry- bread, as well as authentic Native American jewelry, beadwork, pottery, clothing and basketry.
Powwows are social gatherings of Native Americans who follow traditional dances started centuries ago by their ancestors, which continually evolve to include contemporary aspects.
The Grand Entry is a Native American tradition that signifies the opening of each Powwow session.
During the Grand Entry, dancers and drummers can score points for competition based on regalia, performance, and other categories. The event begins with the presentation of colors, starting with an Eagle Staff, followed by the American flag, California state flag, and the Morongo tribal flag.
What is bird singing?
The bird songs and dances of the Cahuilla Indians chronicle the experiences and responses of the Cahuilla people as they migrated south. Through bird metaphor and allegory, the songs also act as lessons that instruct tribal members about stages in their lives. The original Cahuilla Bird Songs were composed of more than 300 pieces that formed a cycle of stories. Songs were sung in a precise order that accurately accounted for the chronology of the migration.
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
• 4 p.m. Morongo Indian Market Opens
• 4:15 p.m. Open Bird Singing and Dancing
• 7:45 p.m. Drum Call
• 8 p.m. Color Guard Grand Entry
• Midnight – Closing-Retire Flags
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27
• 11 a.m. Morongo Indian Market Opens • 11 a.m. Open Bird Singing and Dancing • 12:45 p.m. Drum Call
• 1 p.m. Color Guard Grand Entry
• 5 p.m. Bird Singing and Dancing Contest • 7:45 p.m. Drum Call
• 8 p.m. Color Guard Grand Entry
• Dusk: Peon games
• Midnight – Closing-Retire Flags
COLOR GUARD AND GRAND ENTRY
• Friday Sept. 26: 8 p.m.
• Saturday Sept. 27: 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. • Sunday Sept. 28: 1 p.m.
The three-day event will feature some- thing for everyone.