The dance features jumps, spins and fancy footwork to the beat of the drum. The Fancy Dance is one of the most athletic and strenuous of modern powwow dances, and is said to have originated in Oklahoma. It is a celebration, a social gathering, a friendly dance competition. Usually he carries a shield, a weapon or dance stick, and may paint his face with a tribal or family design. The Traditional Dancer will wear a single bustle of eagle feathers, a feathered or roach headdress, beaded moccasins and ankle bells. The Traditional Dance is one of the oldest forms, and its movements tell the story of a warrior stalking food or tracking an enemy. Keep in mind that these are only a few of the many types of dances you may see at a powwow, depending on the tribal affiliation and purpose of the event. Male dancers will typically dance Traditional (or Straight), Fancy and Grass dances, while female dancers will usually take part in Buckskin, Fancy Shawl and Jingle Dress dances. At many intertribal powwows, you can look for three basic competition classifications of dances for each sex. To the newcomer, the powwow dances may appear very similar, but each type has its own set of distinctive steps. The drum and its singers are so important that they are often placed in the center of the arena. The drum is made of hides, stretched over a wooden frame and laced together with rawhide thongs. The drum sets the rhythm of the dance and the tempo of the song. It is more than a musical instrument, it is the heartbeat of the Native American people. To help you feel more at home attending a powwow, we've put together some useful information and powwow etiquette tips. These ceremonial legacies should be viewed with respect and honor by all in attendance. If you have the opportunity to attend a powwow, be sure and take it! The modern powwow is a link to the Native Americans' past and these ceremonies help them maintain their heritage. Many powwows, including all of those listed on this website, are open to the general public and everyone is welcome to experience the event. As the circle represents the unity of life, so the circle of the dance arena represents a joining together around the music of the drum and singers. There are sacred traditions to be found in this coming together of people. Just as important, a powwow is the time to focus thoughts on the old ways and to preserve the rich heritage of Native American culture. A powwow is a gathering of Native American people and their guests who come together to sing, dance, renew old friendships and make new ones.