powwow

Meanings

Noun

  • A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.
  • A Native American shaman.
  • A Native American council or meeting.
  • A short, private conference.
  • A large gathering during which Indigenous songs and dances are showcased for an audience, essentially a recital or concert. Often also doubles as a fundraiser, or can be held in conjunction with a non-indigneous fair or exhibition in order to attract a large crowd, as at the Calgary Stampede and K-Days.

Verb

  • To hold a meeting; to gather together in council.
  • To conduct a ritual in which magic is used.
  • To hold a private conference.

Origin

  • From an Algonquian language, probably Massachusett pauwau ("he uses divination; he practices magic or sorcery") or Narragansett powwáw ("sorcerer, shaman"), from Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa ("one who dreams").

Modern English dictionary

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