Experience Native American culture at Ocmulgee Indian Celebration

More than 300 Native Americans will share their culture with visitors to the Ocmulgee National Monument during the annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration this weekend.

The celebration will feature many popular artists, dancers and storytellers returning from past years, and will take visitors a little further back into the culture’s past.

“This year, we’ve gone further back in time,” said Jim David, superintendent of Ocmulgee National Monument. “We’ve always done a good job showing native culture from the modern day -- dance, arts and crafts -- and we’ve done some very good lifestyle demonstrations set right around first contact.

“This year, we are going back 6,000-8,000 years to the archaic lifestyle. We will have some primitive cooking demonstrations, showing what and how people ate during that time. We’ll also showcase the types of tools they used in this time period, including flint knapping demonstrations, which show how to make projectile points out of pieces of stone.”

David said he’s excited about going back further in time, along with showcasing current native cultural activities, like fancy dancing.

“Dancers, in their full and beautiful regalia, will demonstrate a modern style of dance, which has its roots in traditional dancing. The hoop dancing, in particular, is truly spectacular,” he said. “We are also working with the Muscogee Creek people, who will demonstrate their traditional stomp dance. This is the type of dance that has taken place at this location for more than 500 years.”

The Cherokee Warriors will be travelling to the event for the third time.

“They showcase the traditional Cherokee warrior society,” David said. “They really do an excellent job of teaching and explaining to visitors the significance of their regalia and even their hairstyles, and explaining how and why these things were so important to the traditional Cherokee warrior society.”

Another new event this year is the Choctaw Youth Stickball game.

“It’s a traditional game that goes as far back as prehistoric periods,” David said. “It’s considered the forefather of lacrosse. The Youth League will not only demonstrate the game, but they also invite visitors to join them. It’s a very interactive experience. In fact, visitors are encouraged to observe and interact with many of the demonstrations.”

Last, but not least, is the food.

“Native foods such as Indian tacos, fry bread, buffalo burgers and roasted corn will be available along with drinks, ice cream and hot dogs,” David said. “My favorite is the Indian fry bread and it’s so delicious that it’s probably a good thing it’s not available all year.”

This event is held in partnership with the Ocmulgee National Monument Association, which assists the park with a variety of programming. The money that comes from the gate at the Ocmulgee festival helps fund educational opportunities.

“We are always very pleased that the native people who join us love to share and teach their culture,” David said. “They want to help people experience the culture and they are welcoming and excited about meeting people. It is a really fun event and it’s a great way to spend time together as a family.”

Ocmulgee Indian Celebration

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 19-20

Where: Ocmulgee National Monument, 1207 Emery Highway

Cost: $6 adults; $3 for children 6-12 and active duty military; free for children under 6

Information: 478-752-8257, www.ocmulgeemounds.org

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Experience Native American culture at Ocmulgee Indian Celebration ."