January 7, 2006

January 7, 2006

Silver City, New Mexico

YEAR 2 DAY 204

 

Today was sunny and warm again.

This morning after fixing the bedroom roof vent crank handle, and regular preventive maintenance, we set off to find the University Of Western New Mexico, to attend the 3rd Annual Red Paint Powwow. We found the university nearby, about 8 or 10 blocks from our RV park. It's a beautiful campus. What a great place to go to school.

The Red Paint people are Apache. Their annual powwow is primarily a dance competition, but like other powwows we've attended, it's a celebration of singing, dancing, drumming, visiting, and eating. We were surprised to learn of how many different types of native dance there are. Most of the dance styles are characterized by the type of clothing worn, or the "instruments" brandished. Gourd dancing, grass dancing, fancy dancing ( elaborate feather costumes ), jingle dress dancing, fancy shawl dancing. The Apache people were warriors, so their dances and music are more aggressive than the Navajo styles we saw at the Pahrump Powwow in Nevada a month or so ago. Some of the local Apaches at the powwow are descendants, and still bear the family name, of Geronimo. The Native self deprecating humour was evident in the number of comments by the MC of the festivities and scheduled dances being on "Indian time". The fine print disclaimer in the program reads "The Red Paint Powwow Committee is not responsible for any additional incurred expenses, injury, theft, inclement weather, bad choices, or divorce". HA HA HA ! I participated in an Apache Round Dance that the audience was invited to join. For lunch we had an Indian Taco, which was Indian Fry Bread with chili and salad fixings on it. We were careful to order it with "green" chili, which is milder than "red" chili. We learned that at Deming a few days ago. We walked around the vendor area, and bought some gifts for ourselves and others.

We returned to the trailer late in the afternoon. I took a nap. Joanne did some cleaning. When I woke, I took Bo for an obedience training session. Joanne prepared supper. I worked on yesterday's Gila Cliff Dwelling photos. I cleaned and lubricated the dog clippers.

We had supper, then returned to the powwow. The evening dance competitors were wearing even more brightly coloured and decorated costumes than they had earlier in the day, and most of the men’s faces were painted. One of the featured dances of the evening was in honour of an elderly woman, prominent in the local Apache community, who died a few days ago. It seemed to be a funeral / spirit dance. It was scary, and moving. We watched the dancing until quite late in the evening. On the way back to the RV park, I stopped to fill Dee-Dee with diesel. Back at the trailer, I finished up today's accounting and journal entry.

We're both really glad we came here for this powwow. It was a very interesting experience.

DSK