Today is #MarketFriday initiated by Hive account@dswigle (Denise! That is me!) Have you ever been to a Pow Wow? Experience a unique gathering of the cultural nature, where Native Americans cermonialize their heritage, through dance, the clothing they have made, the storytelling and their arts? Getting together keeps their customs intact and provides like fellowship. Most importantly, it is a deeply spiritual thing.

The drum is the heartbeat of the tribe. It is used to bring balance and renewal to the people. Sometimes they gather around the drum, singing Native songs to the beat of the drum, their voices carrying throughout the area. These songs and their playing have been passed down through many generations of Native Americans and are a reminder of their rich heritage. I close my eyes at the memory, fully aware of its hypnotic power over me.

Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:

How to Participate:

1. Go to the market! Any market will do! Food, Clothing, Plant or Animal, if you wish. You can go to the zoo or an art auction. Anywhere or anything that you pay money for a service. I once went to a nail salon.
2. Take pictures! Be creative (or not)
3. Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
4. Post the picture(s)
5. Don’t forget to hashtag it! #MarketFriday by Hive account@dswigle
6. Drop the link to your post here so I can easily find them

It is always interesting to see the different markets around the globe! C’mon! Show me your market shots! I eagerly await them!

The string of feathers attached to a backboard is called a bustle and it is a traditional part of a man's regalia worn while he is at a pow wow or an Exhibition. I was awed by their beauty. The feathers are usually hawk or eagle feathers.

There were booths set up at various spots selling handmade gifts or souvenirs. Arrowhead charms and pipes of peace. So many to choose from!

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The drum is not just a musical instrument. To many people, it holds great cultural and symbolic power. They believe the drum has a life of its own, as well as its own powerful spirit. The drum is the heartbeat of the Indian Nation. It carries the heartbeat of Mother Earth and calls the spirits and nations together. source

Please leave the link to your post on here so it can easily be found by others. They will all be in one place!! Thank you! ❤

The Native Americans used animal pelts to decorate their clothes. The skunk, seen here, was used as a lesson because although a skunk does not threaten your life, it reeks havoc with your senses.

Look at the beadwork on her belt. Every bead, handsewn. So precise their work is.

Never too young to learn the culture and its ways.

The jingle dress dance. Each dancer must sew rows of metal cones, so they dangle from the dresses and rattle and clink as they move. In the traditional dance, they could never dance backward, or even complete a circle when dancing. They were not allowed to cross their feet either. I love the jingle of the dress. How many cones do you think is in a typical jingle dress? I know they aren't allowed to look at their feet! The elders were calling out, "Look up Sienna! Don't look at your feet!"

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STOP!! BRAIN TEASER AHEAD!!

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A sparrow has fallen into a hole in a rock. The hole measures three inches in diameter and is three feet deep. Due to the depth of the hole, the sparrow cannot be reached by hand. We cannot use sticks or canes, because we could hurt the bird. How can you get the bird out?

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By gradually pouring sand into the hole. The bird will keep moving so that it is not buried in the sand, forcing it higher until it comes out.

The beads will be used for jewelry, worn by men and women alike... and the dream catchers and all of the other crafts of artistic endeavors have been hand made. These small acts keep the traditions alive.

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I hope you will join us as we share different markets. It has been such a pleasure to see markets from all over the world. Who doesn't love to see what they are selling? There is always a curiosity attached to foreign ingredients, different produce or any product sold. So, yes! I would love to see yours! So don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery, art galleries, wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Don't forget to use the hashtag #marketfriday and Hive account@dswigle.

The headdress is a well-known symbol of strength and bravery. I had never seen one so long Ever.

As always, there must be a flower. Always. To color my world. This flower is dedicated to #FridaySkyBlue #ColorChallenge by @Kalemandra, who colors my world every day.

And just like that, this post is done. I hope you had a good time! Pow Wows are a wonderful experience and a piece of cultural learning. I have been to a few different ones and I honestly can say that they leave me with a deep spiritual feeling. As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit #MarketFriday!! Thank you for supporting the challenge! If you ever get the opportunity to go to a Pow Wow, I kindly remind you to respect their ways. Although most are public events, they are culturally significant events to the Native Americans. Have a most fabulous day! Cheers!!

Let the sun shine in on your life
So the joy may touch your soul

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Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post, again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit and comment. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. We live in a wonderful world and some days, it is not as easy to see, how beautiful it can really be. If you have a choice in your day, choose to be kind. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.

I always post this poem down at the bottom of my posts. It is one that has become so near and dear to my heart. I only post the most famous part of it, but, wanted to post it in its entirety today.

they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,

"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire

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