© 2025 WHRO Public Media
5200 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk VA 23508
757.889.9400 | info@whro.org
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Hundreds turn out for 35th annual Nansemond Pow Wow in Suffolk

WHRO | By Laura Philion
Published August 20, 2023 at 5:07 PM EDT
Dancers at the 35th annual Nansemond Pow Wow on August 19. (Photo: Laura Philion)
Dancers at the 35th annual Nansemond Pow Wow on August 19. (Photo: Laura Philion)
http://assets.whro.org/230821_nansemondpowwowpostcard_philion.mp3
Hundreds turn out for 35th annual Nansemond Pow Wow in Suffolk

Hundreds braved the sticky heat this weekend to spectate and dance at the annual Nansemond Pow Wow at Mattanock Town, Suffolk.

230821 nansemond philion 1
Photo by Laura Philion.
Chickahominy member and Charles City resident Sydney Richard (left) dances in a shawl in the sacred circle during grand entry. Richard said she has exams coming up and Saturday was her only day to dance.
230821 nansemond philion 3
Photo by Laura Philion.
One of the day's smallest dancers waits for fry bread alongside a Sons of the American Revolution historical interpreter.
230821 nansemond philion 4
Photo by Laura Philion
Dancer Tara Green (center left) traveled from North Carolina to attend the pow wow. She's been dancing since she was 5 and favors women's northern style dancing. Her fittingly green regalia uses buckskin and intricate beading, with elk teeth and ribbons on her bag.
230821 nansemond philion 5
Photo by Laura Philion.
Dancers in jingle dresses enter the sacred circle during the grand entry. Jingle dresses have their roots in a healing dance and legend. The jingles are traditionally made with chewing tobacco can lids.
230821 nansemond philion 6
Photo by Laura Philion.
Nansemond Chief Keith Anderson (left) waits to give his welcome during Saturday’s grand entry at Mattanock Town, Suffolk. It’s been an eventful year for the tribe, who reacquired 500 acres of ancestral land through donation in November.
230821 nansemond philion 8
Photo by Laura Philion.
Romula Hawthorne runs RHaw Creations, making jewelry and ceramics. She started going to pow wows years ago but only recently started selling at the events.
Tags
Arts & Culture SuffolkArts & CultureArts & Culture
Laura Philion
See stories by Laura Philion

The world changes fast.

Keep up with daily local news from WHRO. Get local news every weekday in your inbox.

Sign-up here.