Drum Competition

The drum is the heartbeat and central pulse of the Pow Wow.

There are always one or several groups of singers who sing as the beat in unison to the rhythm on a large drum. Each drum has a lead singer and a “second” who repeats the lead line on a different or similar key.

Good drums are always in demand at powwows and become very popular. Drums take turns and often a certain drum is requested for a particular song. Drummers are usually men but women may also drum and sometimes an all women’s drum group is seen.

Drum groups play different kinds of songs, many are very old and traditional. Songs are sung four times a sacred number in Indian tradition. Most songs have no actual words, but are syllables that carry the melody and meaning of the song. These syllables are called vocables. Songs are sung in English or Native languages.

Northern Competition
1st $5,000
2nd $4,000
3rd $3,000
4th $2,000

Southern Competition
1st $5,000
2nd $4,000
3rd $3,000
4th $2,000