The Grass Dance being more social was one of the only events allowed. Many ceremonies and customs were outlawed during the reservation period. A compromise and compilation of traditions had to take place in order for the people to survive. This transition for Native Americans often put Tribes at odds with other Tribes they did not know and manyTribes that were bitter enemies found themselves very close neighbors. The removal period increased the growth of the reservations and this soon gave rise to the modern powwow.
The Grass Dance Societies were an opportunity for the warriors to re-enact deeds for all the members of the Tribe to witness. The term “ Grass Dance” can get rather confusing because there is also a style of dancing called “ Grass Dance” that became very popular during the reservation period in the mid 19 th Century. The modern day powwow evolved from the Grass Dance Societies that formed in the early 19 th Century. The term “ powwow” is actually a North Eastern Woodland word belonging to the Narragansett Language and the closest English translation is “ meeting.”
Some of these included: Celebration, Doing, Fair, Feast, Festival Gathering, Happening, Indian Dance, Rodeo, Show and Union. Before the term “ powwow” became popular, various words were used to describe this cultural phenomenon.
