BANNING, CA – More than 30,000 spectators celebrated Native American music, art, and dancing at the 33rd Annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow, held at the Morongo Indian Reservation near Palm Springs, CA.
As one of the nation’s most anticipated powwows, the Morongo powwow began on California Native American Day and attracted over 900 tribal dancers and 20 drum groups from across the U.S. and Canada. Throughout the weekend, dancers wearing intricate, handcrafted regalia of leather, fine beadwork and brightly colored feathers competed in a variety of events that displayed the diversity of Native American dance styles from across North America.
“The Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow celebrates Native American culture while helping tribes preserve our heritage and traditions for future generations,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin. “Our powwow is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to learn about the richness and beauty of Native American dance, music and art.”
The highlight of each day, the Grand Entry, drew hundreds of dancers dressed in traditional regalia into the powwow arena, which transformed into a powerful display of rhythm, music and motion as men, women and children danced together to the music of competitive drum groups and singers. The powwow included traditional bird singing and peon games of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and other tribes in Southern California.
More than 115 vendors participated in the Morongo Indian Market, where artists offered authentic Native American crafts for sale, such as handmade baskets, beadwork, clothing, jewelry, and pottery. Native food vendors served customary homemade delicacies such as Indian tacos and tasty Indian frybread.
