By Seth Helton
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-986996.mp3
Murray, KY – A group of men are seated around a large leather drum. The judge holds up a number on his fingers. The drummers snuff out their cigarettes and begin their pounding.
The drummers are seated outside of a circle sectioned off by hay bales. Inside the circle dancers begin to warm up for the Fancy Dance competition. The dance is a crowd-pleaser and the biggest draw for non-native spectators. Master of Ceremonies Ric Bird says the fancy dance is not a traditional dance and is relatively modern.
"Somewhere around the turn of the 1900's a couple of traditional dancers, Tony Whitecloud and Larry Daylight, started clowning around adding choppier steps; more fancier moves. Pretty soon they added two bustles and before you knew it it evolved into what it is today."
The fancy dancers are clad in intricate regalia. Feather bustles made from turkey spikes, lots of loose-hanging items, scarves, tassels.The bustles evoke the image of a bird's outstretched wings and Atop their head are two eagle feathers fixed to a spring that bounce to the rhythm of the dance.
Bird says some costumes can cost upwards of ten thousand dollars. Each dancer has spent years hand-crafting their costumes to perfection.
"Fancy-dancers take pride in making their own outfits."
In the circle the dancers move with incredible speed. The bells on their ankles rattle in time to the drums with each step. There are no clear winners in competitive fancy dancing. Dancers often must perform multiple songs in their heavy costume in brutal heat. To stay competitive dancers train and perform year-round.
"It's very athletic. Sometimes you see them doing crow-hops, knee-drops, splits It's just a very awesome style of dance."
Between crow-hops and knee drops something happens. The drums stop. The announcer asks all spectators to put their cameras down and turn off their recording equipment. Non-natives in the crowd look around in confusion. The Native people in the stands fall silent as a contestant in the circle stares at something on the ground. An eagle feather from his headpiece has fallen onto the grass. Ric Bird Explains.
"You're taught these feathers are warriors who have fallen in wars past. If these eagle feathers touch the ground then you've dishonored that warrior.
A head-veteran prays over the fallen feather while offering tobacco. After he finishes his blessing he picks the feather from the ground and wraps it in a handkerchief. The announcer says the consequences for dropping a feather is disqualification from the competition. The dancer will not be able to regain his feather and thus his right to perform until he earns back respect from the warriors he dishonored.
Drumming resumes and the dancers perform one-by-one. Judges talk quietly among themselves and ask that two of the performers dance once more apiece.
The Judges reached a decision: Gabe Bullock of Livingston, Texas wins the fancy dance competition. He takes to the circle celebrate his win with another performance. His fellow competitors and spectators all rush to the circle to join him in celebration.
When the drums stop the rain picks up sending the dancers and audience to their cars. Someone in the crowd can be heard saying "this happens every year." Bird says the rain is nature's way of joining in the celebration.
The intertribal Pow Wow is held every year following the first full weekend after Labor Day. The Powwow is a time where people of Native American descent gather to trade handmade goods and preserve their unique culture.