Tulsa Pow-Wow

Headed into Tulsa today as the annual pow-wow was advertised on morning television. Something worth seeing... lots of very brightly coloured costumes and a LOT of feathers!

It made me smile as we arrived as one of the big indoor rodeos was on in the main hall of the convention centre. Cowboys in one door, Indians in another - yes I realise that should be "Native Americans" or their tribal name, but you get the idea!

This is probably going to sound strange but the one thing that struck me the most was the similarities between the Native American's dance and drum rythyms and that of the Gulf Arabs... actually even smilarities between Australian Aboriginal dance! Three very diverse and distinct cultures seperated in distance by one third of the world... yet at the same time there was something familiar about what they were doing.

Wouldn't it be nice if Abu Dhabi or Dubai could hold a "native cultures" event. It is important in these times of moderisation that traditions are held on to in what ever form they may take. Just imagine if "Global Village" wasn't just about shopping and was really about experiencing the diversity and simlarities in cultures that represent the people of the world.