Chucalissa is a term used by Choctaw Indians meaning empty or abandoned village. The Chucalissa museum grounds are now alive and the meaning adopted when the village was unearthed during the 1960s could hardly be used to describe the area today.
Today marks the beginning of the third annual Spring Pow Wow, a celebration of Native American culture. An estimated 12,000 people will be visiting the grounds this weekend to observe and participate in Chucalissa’s history.
“Three years ago, one of the former directors talked with the Native Americans who live here and decided it would be a good thing to have a celebration in the Spring,” said F. Kent Reilly III, an associate professor of anthropology at The University of Memphis and Chucalissa’s museum director.
Some Memphians are not aware of the educational emphasis of Chucalissa. In fact, several U of M anthropology courses are taught on site. The museum is employed with several U of M students and alumni, including four graduates serving as assistants. Another important element is the education that will be offered to surrounding area school children.
“The Friday that the Pow Wow begins is typically oriented toward school children surrounding the Memphis, Eastern Arkansas and Mississippi areas and they come in by the bus loads,” Reilly said.
The Pow Wow also provides an educational opportunity for the community. According to Reilly, it is a chance to see some of the finest aspects of Native American culture. Different tribes will be participating, some from as far away as Iowa, and many will be dressed in their traditional regalia. Crafts will also be made and sold during the event, dance contests will be held for cash prizes and there will also be food available.
“I don’t think that anyone should leave without trying the frybread,” Reilly said. “It is incredible.”
Before the dance contests begin, people will have the opportunity to watch the Gourd Dancers bless the arena. It is a religious ceremony where 10-15 dancers bless the ground before the other dancers are led into the arena.
The dance contest should be a highlight of the event, not only because of the cash prize incentives, but because of the significance of dance to Native American culture.
“Dancing is distinct in every group and it is very symbolic,” Reilly said. “A lot of non-Native Americans forget that it can be a form of religious worship or something to mark a rite of passage, especially since that has been forgotten in our society.”
The Pow Wow will run through Sunday with free admission for children under three, $3 for children ages 3-11 and $5 for adults.
According to Reilly, it is an inexpensive way to have a cultural experience.
“It is important to remember that a Pow Wow is an interface between Native American and non-Native American Cultures,” Reilly said. “Thankfully, it is a positive interface.”
