Dances with fans!

I don't know whether you are aware but the part of Kent I work in is where Pocahontas is buried. You know, Pocahontas, Native American princess, daughter of Powhatan, the powerful chief of the Algonquian Indians in the Tidewater region of Virginia.

This Pocahontas.



Not this Disneyfied one!

According to the wonderful Wiki, Pocahontas travelled to the UK in 1616 accompanied by her husband John Rolfe. In March 1617, they boarded a ship to return to Virginia. However, the ship had only gone as far as Gravesend when Pocahontas became ill. She was taken ashore and died. Her funeral took place in March 1617 in Gravesend. Her memory is recorded in Gravesend with a life-size bronze statue at St George's Church.

"So, where is she going with this?" I hear you ask. Well ... last week we had a visit from some of her decendants. A group of Native American dancers came and performed in the school yard. They sang and spoke for about an hour. They talked about their costumes, traditions, language and culture. And then they danced.

**Clicking on the photo should take you to a mini slideshow of photos**

The children were transfixed. The whirling colours, the rhythmic drum beat, the voices ~ fab! They watched spellbound for 40 minutes, silent except for applause and questions. However, it was so punishingly hot out there on the asphalt* that it was more a case of Dances with Fans than Dances with Wolves!

* WHAT??? The kids were completely bemused! I wish somebody would warn visitors that with children you have to speak English not American ... just like I'd speak American and not English in the same situation :o)