A couple comments here - first about religion and alternative healing, which includes 'powwow', among many other modalities. To understand the evolution of 'folkways', it is important to understand the transformation of religion throughout the ages and as we understand it today. A good example is the birthdate of Jesus, the argument over whether he was born in December of March. One thesis is that as the Romans began to accept Christianity there was difficulty in complete adherence, especially around Saturnalia. Saturnalia is a Pagan holiday celebrated at winter solstice and much of the behavior was questionable in the Christian principles. So a celebration of Christ was transplanted near the winter solstice to replace Saturnalia. Many of the traditions of folk medicine, which derived from the early Goddess/Earth religion were forboten, although many practiced it undercover, and/or in conjunction with Christian principles. The group that kept it going more than any other was the Celts with their Druid priests. The Celts invaded Central Europe which consisted of what is now France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and a few others. Veit Valentin, in The German People, states '. . . the nationality (German) contains a strong Germanic element. . . . the next strongest component is Celtic;' Early on, folkways and those who practiced it were given short shrift. This had to do with power - if 'the church and princes' were to keep the loyalty of their subjects, the power of the individual had to be given up, and be placed in and under the guidance of the princes (landholders) and the church. Subjects who did not follow these guidelines and would not be dominated by the church were harshly persecuted. Many of these are the our ancestors, the Ancient Order of Brethren, Mennonites, Amish, etc. Even though they were Christian, they fit the ancient metaphysical and 'earth' religion into their Christianity. After all, there was no such thing as Christianity before Jesus' birth and death. These Christians often had to practice their rites in secret and often were suspect, even though they followed the teachings of Jesus. Hands on healing is known by many names today and is practiced by many, as is herbal medicine, and other healing modalities. As for powwowing - I stated in a previous post that my grandparents practiced it, and there are many stories of the ill or injured being brought to their home, taken into the study, and there behind closed doors out came the big bible, prayers were said along with the laying on of hands. In her book, True Ghost Stories, Dorothy Burtz Fiedel has a chapter on PowWow. She ends it with, ". . .the basic ingredient, the iron web, into which the cures and superstitions are woven remains strong and intact. It is called faith, and faith . . . never goes out of style. Jan Blessed Be; Bright Blessings; Beautiful Beginnings; Big Boons; Bodacious Blockbusters; Brilliant Brainstorms ; Boundless Benefits