Aquinnah Powwow Celebrates Wampanoag Heritage
Native peoples gathered from across the east coast.
Native peoples gathered from across the east coast.
Tribal people sold clothing and blankets.
Tribal people sold clothing and blankets.
Traditional wampum.
Traditional wampum.
Hair braiding prior to the Grand Entry.
Hair braiding prior to the Grand Entry.
Three native drumming groups provided music for the dancers: the Alamoosic Lake Singers, Herring Creek Singers and the Aquinnah-based Black Brook Singers.
Three native drumming groups provided music for the dancers: the Alamoosic Lake Singers, Herring Creek Singers and the Aquinnah-based Black Brook Singers.
Steady drumming accompanied the beginning of the Grand Entry.
Steady drumming accompanied the beginning of the Grand Entry.
Bearing the United States and Massachusetts flags, and the flags of the Mashpee, Aquinnah, Herring Creek and Narragansett tribes.
Bearing the United States and Massachusetts flags, and the flags of the Mashpee, Aquinnah, Herring Creek and Narragansett tribes.
Following the procession, the dances kicked off with a ceremony honoring tribal and nontribal veterans.
Following the procession, the dances kicked off with a ceremony honoring tribal and nontribal veterans.
The men’s eastern war dance.
The men’s eastern war dance.
Tribal members joined hands with audience members for the traditional welcoming dance.
Tribal members joined hands with audience members for the traditional welcoming dance.
Women’s eastern blanket dance tells the story of a journey through womanhood.
Women’s eastern blanket dance tells the story of a journey through womanhood.
Dancing continued throughout the day and into Sunday.
Dancing continued throughout the day and into Sunday.
A plume of smoke curled against the backdrop of the rolling waves on Aquinnah’s south shore this weekend, as members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and native peoples from across the east coast gathered for the annual Aquinnah Powwow.