Fun Monday #35, Shoes ..... Traditions

Fun Monday is brought to you by Robin and Pensieve. Her basic premise was: "Shoes tell a lot about a person and we wanna delve deeply into your
soul sole. Photograph your favorite pair--or pairs--of shoes and tell us a little about why they're near and dear to your
toes heart"
There was more, and you are welcome to click over there and enjoy the full nuance of one of Robin's loquacious narrations. You gotta love the way she can use words. (And read the other participants, too!)

***********
I worried all week about shoes. Mine are bought for comfort - and purchased with enough room to insert my prescription orthotics. Yes, folks... my days of straps, stilettos, and open toed sandals are over. Even my daughters tell me that my walking shoes look like "Grandma shoes." DUH! Isn't that what their kids call me? Friday night rolled around and the only shoes I would consider sharing were the hubby's bronzed baby booties.

Then, we heard about an unusual gathering in the vicinity and all thoughts of my Fun Monday assignment disappeared.

Instead of blogging, I packed up and headed to The Waluulapum Warriors Powwow.

It started with a one man ceremonial dance accompanied by drums and song. Then the different tribes were represented in an elaborate procession of traditional ceremonial dress. An Honor Guard carried the US Flag, Tribal Flags and Eagle Staffs.

After the Unity Dance (which I wanted so badly to join in on the dome floor), the Master of Ceremonies spoke of wealth. Their wealth was in moccasins - but not in the material, or the beads that were sewn into the many designs.

Their wealth walks in the heart of their young as they learn and carry on the traditions of the elders. Their wealth walks in the knowledge that is passed down by the elders of the tribes. Their wealth walks in the love shared by the parents and their children. A powwow is a a gathering of their wealth: family.

When the grandmothers danced, the MC requested that all in attendance stand to honor them. In awe and in smiles, I stood in my orthotic grandma shoes. It was at that moment I knew which shoes would grace my Fun Monday entry today.... and none of them were mine.











American Indian Shoes. Moccasins - a wealth of tradition and culture.


Comments

Fianna said…
Beautiful!!!

I love them!!
Anonymous said…
Whoa, nice evasive action. You're Top Gun material.

Actually I think you might be CIA material after you managed to get 28 good clear pictures of feet belonging to people who you don't even know!
Anonymous said…
Oh, by the way, you do know that loquacious means "chatty: full of trivial conversation;" don't you?
Peter said…
Hi Pamela, just sayin' G'day to see if I could comment from an internet cafe, glad you're enjoying our holiday... I'll catch up one day I guess!!!!!!
Hootin Anni said…
ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL!! The best this week I think. :o)
Beccy said…
What no granny shoes on show?

Great post Pamela and how delightfully you've avoided showing us you footwear!
Molly said…
Those are beautiful moccasins. The handiwork on each pair in fantastic. Until reading your post, I forgot that I used to wear moccasins all the time. I am going to look for a new pair. Maybe that is just what my feet need, and they are pretty too.
DesLily said…
ok.. now I want a pair.. or two.. or three! I've always loved moccasins! REal ones like those!.. no "soles"! oh yeah.. I need them.. dang it all..
Walker said…
How fascinating~! Pamela, I always find something extraordinary on your blog.
Robinella said…
Great post as usual. We have a local tribe that does a Pow Wow every year and it's great fun to go see. I never learned that it meant gathering of wealth = family but hearing it now makes total sense.

Thanks for sharing.
Debs said…
Great post! :)

They are so pretty!!!
Anonymous said…
Awesome! Love your post best on this Fun Monday! I love moccasins. I have to agree with WT, you are Top Gun material!
Anonymous said…
Great post. I love all your pictures.
Unknown said…
Those are the prettiest moccasins I have ever seen!! As a child I wore the little plain moccasins a lot.

Great post!
Anonymous said…
#1) SMACK WILLOWTREE!

#2) I was so hoping that some of these posts would go the way yours has...on topic but off track :). Based on what you commented to me earlier, I thought yours wouldn't be about your shoes necessarily.

#3) GREAT post...love the color and comfort and tradition of moccasins...perfect time for you to have attended this event!
Serina Hope said…
These are awesome. What a great idea.
BarnGoddess said…
now those are my kind of shoes!!!

Bell dancers, no dance is complete without them...

beautiful photos Pamela. I certainly appreciate them.
BarnGoddess said…
migwetch.

Thank you in my Ojibwe language.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful shoes, great post!
Kaytabug said…
OH WOW! POW WOW! tee hee! These are AWESOME!! I thought you were off track by reading your comment at Robin's...but this is right on! Even though they are not yours...I love moccasins...I own a pair but they are no where near as beautiful as these!
Great post!!!
Sandy said…
Great post! and I loved the "isn't that what their kidsn call me" comment. I, too, wear grandma shoes - makes it easier to catch up with 'em!
Beckie said…
Are you trying to bring culture to the Fun Monday group? What's up with that?
Karina said…
OH, I love these! Wonderful take on Fun Monday. They reminded me of a pair of "paperish" moccasins created for a gymnastics/dance competition I was in as a kid...I loved those things.
Jill said…
awesome pics. you have just the right spin to make this a terrific post. also, just wanted to let you know i dropped by !
Debs said…
So you are hosting next week's fun Monday. Count me in. :)
katy said…
wow i love them, great post, i didnt join in as i dont have pretty shoes to show off :-(
Kerith Collins said…
LOVE IT! it my be my favorite shoes of the day!!!
Tiggerlane said…
Okay - you have totally won this Fun Monday post. Totally. And I haven't even checked out half of the participants!

Gorgeous! You have outdone us all!
Anonymous said…
I wonder if they make those in my size? Cause they are beautiful.
Anonymous said…
Those shoes are so fun and colorful! A very creative take on this week's theme!
ChrisB said…
You managed to get out of showing us your shoes or feet but the moccasins are really colourful and they look very comfortable so we'll let you off!!
that's TOTALLY fantastic! thanks for sharing them!
Anonymous said…
WOW! They make my shoes look dull and boring!

-Susan in VA

(Blogger is being a bugger today - I've been downgraded to "anonymous")
SwampAngel65 said…
Nice spin you put on this week's topic! Love it :) Beautiful mocs. Neat to see so many different ones all together like this. Could almost be a coffee table book!
Anonymous said…
I love this Pamela! Very cool!
Tammy said…
Absolutely beautiful- I would have loved to watch that!
Kaytabug said…
My bad Pamela...the comment of yours I read was not at Robin's..I thought it was but it wasn't...must have been someone else's comment section!!
Anonymous said…
I'm coming to stomp on you for calling me a loquacious narrator!

Hmph!! >:(

(g r i n)
Jill said…
i heard youre hosting next week. sign me up
Susie said…
They're all gorgeous. I have a pair of baby moccasins that my father in law wore. Perhaps I'll share a picture someday..
xo
what great shoes! nice job!
Anonymous said…
Those are great. I love all the beautiful bead work. My best friend from high school does bead work and has even done some on moccasins, but I don't think to that extent.

I have comfy shoes, and some of mine (the ones I wear most outdoors) are suitable for my orthodics.

Sometimes you think and think on things, and then the solution presents itself. Great post.
Anonymous said…
Great post. Much better than my shoes. I always wanted a pair of moccasins.
Susie Q said…
What gorgeous feet! And such an elegant and artful dodge! I LOVE it!
I do NOT have great feet or wear too stylish shoes...my post on this subject would have bored everyone to tears. : )

I think you are a jewel...yup. YOu are.

Hugs,
Sue
Anonymous said…
Those are ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!
Beautifully done Pamela!! I'd vote for "The Best Fun Monday " post!!

BUT,I'd still like to see the 'Grammy' shoes that you wear! :)

With my husband being diabetic and his feet are starting to really hurt from his Diabetes, he really needs to get him some orthopedic shoes. Steel toed construction shoes, while necessary are not the most comfortable shoes to wear!

Again, great post Pamela!
Anonymous said…
I LOVE the moccasins!

You need a pedicure, don't you. Clever avoidance;).
karisma said…
Okay, while I have a fetish for foot photo's I was finding all the shoes a bit boring. But thankyou, Your post is just gorgeous, where can I get some of those shoes. I can just see me running around in some of them.
my4kids said…
I love the moccasins change there Pamela. Great job! I am also wondering how you got so many pictures of peoples feet! Moccasins are nice to because they can be comfy....at least mine were when I was a kid and my grandfather (who was half cherokee)made me some.

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