Introduction:

The pow wow trail, a journey through spirituality which is energised with dance and song, I
found myself drowning in the deepness of the circle of the drum. A history so rich in culture and
wisdom. The Elder sharing the tale of the Drum’s power how it brought resilience to
Omaamwikme and became a timeless vessel for unity for years to come.

This moment edged into my understanding of unity, the concept of a drum bringing people from different
tribes which weren’t intermingling before to come together to celebrate what is the POW WOW. Its as if
the past and present converges to form a bridge through time. After going through the episode i had
developed an appreciation for meaning of time itself. The drum was not just an instrument but it became a
storyteller with years of wisdom up its sleeve recounting tales. “Even in contest pow wows , even
then it is more than something to power down on it is somehow there .”(Benton)

The process of making the drum which is going to be the center of celebration is a very
significsant event and a lot of thought and careful precision goes into it. I was extremely
fascinated by how much the drummakers put effort into it, they take pride in their work and for
them they hold a very important in pow wow. They’ve dedicated their lives towards it and
making each possible the best version they consider their duty, If I had the same dedication
towards my studies or my prayers I actuaclly would’ve been at the top of my life. This shows
that being satisfied is an important of life. The concept of the pow wow and drum was initially
not of a religion, it was given to Omaamikwe in times of distress as the spirit guided her out of
danger and then gave her the drum which transcended from above and brought with itself
everything it needed, it was to become a beacon of light for her people and bring peace and
unity. All religions teach unity because unity is in fact the most efficient way to survive in this
life. It made me realize the reason why Muslims nowadays are under oppression and are facing
constant threats is due to the fact that we are not united anymore, with the passage we’ve grown
apart.

While exploring the pow wow trail, this writing delves into the complex significance by taking
into account various aspects such as the types of drums, tracing the historical roots of the drum,
the visons of Omaamikwe, underlining the importance of the drum in cultural contexts,
examining Bill Baker’s vision for the drum and diving into the profound belief in blood memory
that joins generations through the Pow Wow trail. Together these illuminate the living
embodiment of culture through the beats of the drum.

There are various types of drums ranging from the water drum to the bass drum. Each drum carries its
own story and its own significance. Among the drums the water drum stands out as it is considered the
most superior drum, it symbolizes fluidity and life. Its vibrations seem to signify the essence of tradition
i.e. a constant stream of water which connects generations. To me the water drum is like the eldest
member of a family, his contributions to the family are more significant and he carries wisdom from
more time than anyone else in the family. The drum is based upon water which is the most necessary
thing we need to survive, so it symbolizes life which is water more than anything else. It’s like a water
stream that spreads out its water into different canals and makes sure each part gets its share, which in
turn unites them. Then comes the double sided drum which by its mention makes us think about well-
crafted melodies creating a deep connection between the listener and drum like a well due
conversation. This makes me think of the fact that there’s never only one side to people, there’s never
just one thing you are supposed to be good at, you can be equally good at more than one thing, so
there’s no reason I should we limit myself. Instead I should explore more of myself to find my own
double sides.

The big drum which is among the powerful drums has become an essential part of Pow Wow. Its size
symbolizes the shared spirit which runs deep in the pow wow, the dancers and audience attention are
drawn towards it. This signifies the importance of parents for me as for parents in our life are like the big
drum in pow wow, what they give to us ultimately decides what we’re going to end up doing for our
lives which is quite similar to the big drum as its beats are among the loudest and it ends up taking over
other drum’s beats. Similarly people such as our acquaintances, the people we work with, the people we
play with don’t really hold that much significance as much our parents hold in our lives, they can single
handedly make or break our lives which is the same for the big drum with the pow wows.

Lastly the bass drum adds more resonance that seems to complete the whole experience. It’s not just an
instrument but it’s a force that moves through the air that stirs the minds and hearts of the spectators.
Its reminds us of the deep cultures that run within the pow wow. I’m drawn towards the echoes of life
that each drum brings with itself. Its not just about the beat but the culture they bring along with it. As I
think of the drums I find myself immersed in a journey which isn’t limited to just a gathering but the
meaning behind the gathering.

Talking about the history of the drum, it is as profound as the beats they produce, it embodies the
essence of cultural heartbeat for the Omaha people. In teachings of Eddie Benton the water drum which
is very sacred for them is often referred as the grandfather drum. The story which he tells of a man
creating the first is still a powerful reminder of the spirituality stored in the drum. “It was not
intended as a religion , it was not given to us as a religion because our religion is the
Midewewin lodge and the Midewewin lodge was the original form of spirituality and religion
and prayer that we were given , the pow drum is very recent within the last 200 hundred
years”(Eddie Benton). The way I see it is that the Omaha people needed something to believe to give
them more hope and the drum served this purpose, for me and for many Muslims like it is the one true
God that gives us hope and gives us meaning. And the Quran which provides us with guidance is the
ultimate weapon as is the drum for the Omaha people. The Omaha people believe that the drum
contains the power of thunder. There is so much detail in the symbolism, the four beats of the drums
represent the four directions that ultimately becomes a passage to access the thunder’s power. “ People
are very quiet around the drums they are very respectful to them, especially if they’re kept
in someone’s house.”
The drums carry a sacred responsibility along with it, in the words of Eddie Benton the drum is given to
celebrate life. It is a constant reminder to live life to the fullest. It makes me believe that there is more
to the present than there is to the future. If I spend my life worrying about the future and making plans
for it I never will live to my full potential and if I end up dying early there is nothing to my life. This is
exactly what Islam teaches never leave things for tomorrows do all the good you can in the present.
Reflecting on the gift of this drum in the 1860-1868 we sight the time when this drum becomes a symbol
of resilience and continuity. As I reflect on its deep history I develop a greater appreciation for the Pow
Wow, which despite the fact it just being a merely an event has more to it than most. It is a living
testament of endurance for the Omaha people.

Omaamikwe’s experience which lasted for four days after the spirit had rescued her is a testament to
the spiritual connection inherited in the drum. “There was one woman who was able to hide, we
know her as Omaamikwe. When the Indian people were killed a spirit spoke to her , before
she fled she heard the spirits voices … go to the water the spirit said and that’s what she
did and that is how she saved herself ”(Eddie Benton). She was offered the drum as a divine gift
from the spirits. What is fascinating to me her vivid recollection of everything that occurred during that
time, she remembered even the minute details which emphasizes doing everything that relates the
drum which she regarded as “Their grandfather” correctly. This moment gave rise to what we now call
the “The big drum society”. This experience is being passed down generation from generation which to
me symbolizes the importance of having a reason. People need to have a reason for doing anything and
if that reason is satisfied they go on to do it. Omaamikwe’s visions have become a living narrative which
is coherent with the gift of peace the drum society brings. “The gift of the big drum society was
that of peace”. The responsibility of the safekeeping is placed in the hands of the women. This
is in line with what we have seen throughout our lives, women are the safe keepers of our
society, and they are responsible for how our next generations turns out as it is said Mothers can
guide a whole generation. However it is the man who is tasked with the playing of the drums
which harmonizes both gender roles playing a part in the safe guarding of the drum’s spirit.
Behind every successful is a woman and vice versa, this showcases equality for the people of
Omaha as both man and woman are actively involved in the pow wow and this does not change
when its contest pow wow where are stakes and the beats are higher.

An important aspect of Omaamikwe’s vision lies in the guidance to bridge the gap between
warring tribes. This gesture not only brought physical movement but also became the reason for
unity showcasing the unifying force of the drum against conflict. In 1974 Bill Baker rejected
the marching band drum preserving the authenticity of the Pow Wow. “The teachings are still
practiced in original form.” Tom Vennum’s take on the matter further lightens the significance
in every aspect of the drum, which highlights the connection between the instrument and the
human spirit. The drum carries an anthropomorphic significance where each part carries its own
importance. The four symbolizes the stability the drum provides to the community, the skin of
the drum is life as it vibrates on each beat. The skin is painted half red and half blue and a yellow
line in the middle which represents the path of the sun. Blue in the north and red in the south, the
drum becomes a compass guiding us through the difficulties of life. It deserves the respect
because it is not merely an object it is a channel, the channel of cultural identity. “The Indian
person sits there, they are very reverend, very respectable, they watch what they say to
each other.” I am overtaken with the effect Omaamikwe’s vision has had on the Pow wow
drum’s culture and it makes realize the importance of belief, when you truly believe something
or believe in something, everything around aligns to make more sense of it. There lives a
spiritual narrative with the Pow wow that transcends the boundaries of time.

Bill Baker’s vision of the drum is a firm testament to the significance of safe keeping old
traditional values. By insisting that the drum should be handmade he keeps alive the traditional
craftsmanship. Baker’s emphasis on the drum maker to have and maintain an authority ensures
there is spiritual significance with those that are tasked. Its not about the skill, its about the
connection the drum maker has to the culture. This for me shows that when you have a deeper
connection than just doing it as a job with your work you find more peace while doing it. Bill
Baker’s visions showcase that even if the pow wow is of competitive spirit the drum maintains
its sacred purpose i.e. celebrating among and with the spirits. Reflecting upon this I find myself
realizing the importance of preservation of tradition. It prompts me to uphold what my elders
have been teaching for years.