Powow

views updated

Powow

POWOW. Derived from Indian words for a priest, wizard, or magician, the term "powow" (or "powwow") came to mean "the noisy festivities preceding a council, expedition, or hunt; or a council or parley" (Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, "Powow").

SEE ALSO Parley.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hodge, Frederick Webb, ed. Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico. 2 vols. New York: Greenwood Press, 1969.

                            revised by Harold E. Selesky

More From encyclopedia.com