Manito Ahbee - Aboriginal Day Competition Pow Wow (Throwback post)

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

One thing that happened to be going on while we were in Winnipeg was the Manito Ahbee. We hadn't been aware of it before, but on hearing about it, decided it would be an excellent thing to go along to. And one of our housesit neighbours kindly offered to look after Jess for the day, so that we were free to go.

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee is an Aboriginal event that happens over a number of days; the day we were interested in was the Competition Pow Wow. Some pow wows are private events, but this one allows public entry with an inexpensive ticket. When we arrived, we were surprised how few visitors were there.

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

A pow wow is a social gathering, that will normally involve drumming, singing and dancing. This competition pow wow has Aboriginal groups from across North America, coming to compete. Not that the prizes are big - they only receive prizes of between $50-400 per category.

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

They start off with the Grand Entry, led by the Eagle Staff, and this is a pretty impressive parade all by itself. They also have a Miss Manito Ahbee, who is a kind of thinking person's pageant queen; she does a lot of the same things that your typical Miss 'X' might do, suvh as openings etc, but she is also expected to undertake more meaningful tasks that represent the Aboriginal culture and history.

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

There are different dance categories for men and women. The women do tradition, jingle (named for the bits on their skirts that jingle when they move), and fancy shawl dances. The men do the traditional, grass and prairie chicken or fancy bustle dances.

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

All of the dances have their own regalia - they aren't called costumes - which fit the style and meaning of the dance. There isn't much in the way of information available, so it is helpful to have looked up a bit about it before you go, but even if you know nothing about it at all, it is fascinating to watch.

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

The really nice thing about this event, is that it is run by teh Aboriginal people, for the Aboriginal people. None of this is a show put on for anyone else, they just allow us to watch. It is generally quite low key, and it seemed to me that it can be a bit chaotic and haphazard at times, but that just added to the authenticity of the event.

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg