Pow wow magic is a term used to describe the spiritual practices and rituals performed in Native American cultures, specifically within the Pow wow tradition. Pow wows are gatherings or festivals that bring together members of Native American communities from various tribes and clans. The term "pow wow" originates from the Algonquian language, meaning "a gathering of spiritual leaders." These gatherings provide a space for individuals to connect with their cultural heritage, celebrate their traditions, and express their spirituality. Pow wow magic is deeply intertwined with the beliefs and practices of Native American spirituality. During a pow wow, participants engage in various rituals and ceremonies, which often involve dancing, singing, storytelling, and drumming.
Charms and spells found in powwow include some of the following:
To stop bleeding, breathe upon the injured person three times, and recite the Lord s Prayer three times, stopping when you get to the words upon the earth. In the early 1800s, a book entitled Pow-Wows or, Long Lost Friend was published by John George Hohman, who had collected a series of charms, folk remedies, spells, and talismans.
During a pow wow, participants engage in various rituals and ceremonies, which often involve dancing, singing, storytelling, and drumming. These activities are believed to connect individuals with the spiritual realm and the natural world. The drum, in particular, holds great significance in pow wow magic, as it is considered the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
Folk Magic & Myth: Braucherei
Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic combines uses the Christian faith (namely excerpts from the bible) as a means of healing, protecting, and blessing in a wide variety of situations. Although this is a quite common practice seen throughout various forms of Christianity, PA Dutch practices often include superstition and the recitation of a braucherei- or Pow-wow (a term taken from a Native American religious practice). The concept of the Pow-wow is that a practitioner (who can be anyone who knows the skill) recites a blessing to cure various injuries, ranging from burns, bleeding, rashes, infections, and even warts or scars.
For example my own grandma claims to have cured a wart my grandfather had by rubbing a penny over it and reciting the Pow-wow: “God the father, God the son, and God the holy spirit…” Then, the penny had to be thrown away to “take the wart with it.”
From a folkloric perspective, the concept of the Pow-wow is an example of Divination or Evocation types of magic, since those practicing it call upon higher powers to aid and heal injuries. However, the stories of successful Pow-wows serve as folk myths for the PA Dutch communities, since they believe the stories to be true examples of the power of God at work. These stories (or myths) also fulfill Bascom’s function of folklore as a means of validating the beliefs and practices of the PA Dutch community.
Pow-wow heals burn victim:
“Brook Bressler, my mother’s uncle worked at Brookside Colliery located near Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co, PA. A big gas explosion caused Brook to be burned very badly on his face and hands. He was transported to his home in Donaldson where the doctors gave him little chance to live. As he was sleeping or unconscious, John G. Stutzman was called in from Fountain, a small town over the mountain from Donaldson. John G. powwowed for Brook. The next day when Brook woke up he asked, “Was John G. here?” Almost immediately the burned skin formed a hard shell that broke away from his hands and face and new skin began to grow. In a short time, to the amazement of those who saw him being taken from the mine, Brook was on the road to recovery. They could not believe he was alive.” (Savidge)
Pow-wow stops bleeding from afar:
“Gurney Bendigo was a timber man from Hegins, Schuylkill Co, PA. One day while cutting timber in the bush he cut himself with his ax. He bled profusely and the bleeding could not be stopped. Someone said, “Go get John G. Stutzman, he can powwow to stop bleeding.” Someone went for John G. and John said, “I can stop the bleeding from here.” He said “Jesus Christ life blood, stop the pain, stop the bleeding!” Till the messenger got back to Bendigo the bleeding had stopped!” (Savidge)
- Sites at Penn State
Some cure sickness while others counteract hexes. There are Pow-Wow doctors who claim that faith alone is necessary while others claim the words alone will heal a patient. Some patients are not made well after one attempt to heal them by a faith healer. A healer may try six or more times to heal a patient before a cure occurs. If a cure does not occur after a certain amount of time, the Pow-Wow practitioner will stop treatment because the patient apparently lacks faith.
Pow wow magic also includes the use of traditional ceremonial items, such as sacred herbs, smudging bundles, and sacred pipes. These items are used to purify and cleanse individuals and the space, creating a sacred and harmonious environment for spiritual connection and healing. In addition to the rituals and ceremonies, pow wows often include competitive dances and contests. These dances are not only demonstrations of skill and artistry but also a way to honor and pay tribute to Native American culture and traditions. Each dance has its significance and meaning, often representing a particular animal, season, or spiritual concept. Overall, pow wow magic is a vital aspect of Native American spirituality, providing a way for individuals to connect with their cultural heritage, express their spirituality, and honor their ancestors. Through the rituals, ceremonies, and dances performed during pow wows, participants tap into a deeper sense of belonging, spirituality, and identity..
Reviews for "Embodying the Spirit: How Pow Wows Transcend Boundaries"
1. John Smith - 2 stars
I really didn't enjoy "Pow wow magic" at all. The plot felt disjointed and all over the place. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. It felt like the author was trying too hard to create a mystical and magical atmosphere but ended up just confusing the readers. The pacing was also off, with boring stretches and sudden action sequences that felt forced. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Emma Johnson - 1 star
I found "Pow wow magic" to be a tedious read. The writing style was overly descriptive and flowery, making it difficult to follow the storyline. The author seemed more focused on creating poetic descriptions rather than developing the characters or advancing the plot. There were numerous unnecessary tangents that added nothing to the overall reading experience. I struggled to stay engaged and found myself skipping pages just to get to the end. I was left unsatisfied and wouldn't bother recommending this book to anyone.
3. Michael Thompson - 2 stars
"Pow wow magic" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was confusing and poorly executed, making it difficult to understand the magical elements and their significance. The dialogue was unnatural and stilted, making it hard to connect with the characters. The pacing was also a major issue, with the story dragging on and then abruptly rushing through important events. The lack of a clear resolution left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I found this book to be unenjoyable and would caution others before picking it up.
4. Sarah Davis - 3 stars
While "Pow wow magic" had an interesting concept, it failed to fully deliver for me. The story started off strong, but as it progressed, it became convoluted and hard to follow. There were too many subplots that didn't seem to connect, and the characters felt underdeveloped. The writing style was also a bit overbearing, with excessive description that didn't always enhance the story. However, I did appreciate the author's attempt at incorporating unique magical elements. While I didn't hate the book, I didn't love it either, and it ultimately left me feeling indifferent.