The Heartbeat of Cabazon Indio Pow Wow: A Cultural Journey at Fantasy Springs

Описание: Cabazon Pow Wow 2024 - Full Review + Highlights

Welcome to the Indio, California Cabazon Pow Wow, hosted at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino! Named after Chief Cabazon, this 3-day event is an incredible celebration of culture, dance, and music. This year, I had the chance to attend on Saturday, and it was such an amazing experience-here's my full review!

The drive from Phoenix was just 3.5 hours nonstop, and parking was free, which is always a nice bonus. Initially, I parked in the casino's parking garage, but later I found a dirt lot nearby that was much easier for quick access to my car.

One of the biggest perks of having the pow wow at a casino is the convenience: clean restrooms, free parking, a nearby Starbucks, and the option to stay close to the action if you book a room. But the highlight for me? They provided dinner for everyone during the Saturday evening break! If you've seen my other pow wow reviews, you know how I feel about the cost of food at events, so this gesture was a big plus.

The pow wow itself was held in the main conference room of the casino. The setup was impressive, but the lighting was... a challenge. About 30 mini spotlights in the center kept rotating, changing colors, and creating an ever-shifting environment that made photographing and recording tricky. Out of 2,000 photos I took, many turned out blurry or overexposed. However, I adjusted and managed to capture some beautiful moments.

Seating was a bit of a mixed experience. Many families used blankets to reserve entire sections of the bleachers overnight, which made it difficult for those arriving early the next day to find seats together. I think a no-overnight-reservation rule would help future events feel more inclusive.

After the pow wow, I checked out the bird singing and peon games. Bird singing and dancing were such a joy to witness, and I was happy to capture those moments during the dinner break. Peon games, on the other hand, were a learning experience for me. They don't typically take place at Arizona pow wows, so this was my first time seeing them.

Initially, I didn't feel entirely welcomed while observing the games-photos and videos aren't allowed-but I'm grateful to the players who eventually explained the rules and allowed me to record a single song. Peon games are fascinating! Two teams sit on opposite sides of a campfire, hiding and guessing the position of bones in their hands while singing traditional songs.

Overall, the Cabazon Pow Wow was an incredible experience despite some challenges with the lighting. Stay tuned for my longest YouTube video yet, featuring the full pow wow experience, including the peon song at the end! If you've never been to a pow wow, let this be your sign to check one out. Bring a blanket, camp chair, canopy, and your family because everyone is welcome!

Thanks for watching, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Indigenous event coverage!