LAKE GENEVA POWWOW

Father's Day Weekend
LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN

The Four Circles

At a powwow, four circles bring structure and purpose to the little community that each creates. At the center of these concentric circles is the first circle, the drum, the heartbeat of Mother Earth. It gives voice to the prayers of the people. It gives comfort to those who find healing in it and brings the people of different nations and different traditions together with a unifying beat.

The second circle is made up of the singers who sit around the drum. Only men sit at traditional drums, though some of the drums you see at powwows are open to women. This is not intended to disrespect women, but each gender has their tasks and place in these traditions. The men protect the drum and sing the songs for the people as they play the drum and bring forth the heartbeat of Mother Earth. They are charged with the responsibility to discipline themselves so that no negative spirits or energies come to the drum and taint the medicine that drum brings to the people. All anger and anomosities from their personal lives have to be pushed aside, and they must come to the drum in a good way with a good heart.

 Women stand around the drum, behind the men, in the third circle of the drum. This is a place of honor because the women not only help sing the songs but also provide another layer of protection for the drum. Even more importantly, they are charged with the responsibility of maintaining the focus of the men on the drum.

The fourth circle is for the people, the dancers and guests of the powwow, or the community or individuals the drum and the singers are singing their songs for.

Each of these circles has a unique place and purpose, yet they are all connected like the ripples in a still pond when a pebble is cast in the middle of it. That ripple effect can even be heard in the cadence of the songs as it flows like a river and gets the dancers moving around the arena. No matter what individual traditions are associated with the various drums, each one has been given to the people to help make them feel good, lift their spirits, and give them hope.

Learn More

Etiquette
Powwow Staff
The Arena
The Four Circles
The Spirit Fire
The Songs
Men's Dances
Women's Dances
Social Dances
Powwow Calendar