Steeped in sacred tradition and motivated by the ancients, the Waccamaw Indian People of Aynor continue a proud legacy as the original inhabitants of Horry County. The tribe today descends from a people who worked the land and fished the waters in and around the Waccamaw River, specifically in the area of Dog Bluff Township known as the Dimery Settlement. They were stewards of the land who experienced harmony with nature, personal freedom and a maintained balance between work, play and spirituality.

The noted American anthropologist Dr. John R. Swanton worked extensively with Native American peoples in the Southeast. In his 1946 book, Indians of the Southeastern United States, he concluded that the Waccamaw People may have been one of the first groups of natives to be visited by the Europeans. Spanish explorers in 1521 carried ships loaded with Indians into slavery. One of these Indians was Francisco de Chicora, who identified more than 20 tribes from the Waccamaw region. They used the Waccamaw River as their highway while tending gardens and raising livestock such as deer, ducks, chicken and geese. They were also proficient hunters and their artifacts are abundant throughout the area.

The history of the American Indian has not been an easy one, and the history of the Waccamaw Indian People is no exception. For more than 20 years, the fight for recognition of the Waccamaw tribe has been led by Chief Harold D. “Buster” Hatcher. The tribe was chartered as a non-profit in October of 1992, and it was the first tribe in the State of South Carolina to obtain official recognition from the SC Office of Vital Statistics. In February 2005, under the leadership of Chief Hatcher, the Waccamaw Indian People scored a huge victory by becoming the first state-recognized tribe in South Carolina history. They have now procured more than 20 acres of property on the old sacred tribal grounds area and still live as a community—farming and striving to retain the history, arts and heritage left by their ancestors.

In keeping with the desire to continue the proud culture and history, the tribe has presented an annual Cultural Arts Festival and Pauwau for the past 20 years. It is a fine balance of sacred ceremony for the tribes, while simultaneously educating the non-Indians in the community. “The fire must stay alive. We must pass on the traditions and make people aware,” said Cheryl Sievers, Second Chief Judicial.

The 2012 festival was held at the tribal grounds in Aynor and, according to Chief Hatcher, it was the largest turnout in the pauwau’s 20-year history. The tribe maintains the ancient Algonquin word pauwau, which means a gathering in spiritual celebration to renew friendship, to exchange knowledge and to trade skills. Over the years, the word “powwow” was exchanged by Europeans to label all Indian social gatherings, but the Waccamaw have strived to adhere to the ancient traditions.

Prior to the start of the pauwau, there is a sacred spiritual event known as the fire ceremony. During this time, chiefs from each tribe enter the fire circle and place a piece of wood from their homeland on the fire. It is a time of personal worship and thanksgiving to the spirits. The mixing of the ashes will unite the tribes in spirit and make them a brother or sister of the fire. Persons with an illness or burden to bear are encouraged to bring an offering of wood or spices to place on the fire. It is believed that in doing so, the ashes are mixed with all those who have come before and all will share the burden as members of the “Brotherhood of the Flame.” When the event is over, the Chief of the Waccamaw will gather up the ashes and keep them until next year when they will be mixed with the new and the process will repeat.

The start of the pauwau is named “The Grand Entry.” The first to enter the dance arena, or “Sacred Circle,” are the grass dancers. The grass dance is one of the oldest dances in American Indian culture. It is traditionally a men’s dance, but women are beginning to participate. The dance represents a connection with Earth, nature and God. Native Americans gain strength and harmony from Mother Earth and this dance is an expression of that harmony. The dancers are called upon to “dance the grass down.” This has been a tradition for centuries. The dancers prepare the area for dignitaries and all who follow into the arena. The grass is to be danced down and never to be pulled up by the roots in respect to Mother Earth. The dancers enter the arena to the beat of a drum, and their motions cause the fringe or yarn attached to their regalia to sway as if they were blades of grass in the wind. The regalia worn by the dancers are an individual expression of their own distinct worship.

After the honorees have entered, there is a long procession of dancers performing unique styles representing tribes from around the country. The pauwau is not limited to one tribe, but is made possible with the assistance of many tribes coming together with the hosting people. Patriotism is abundant in the ceremony and two examples are the flag dance to honor our country and the veterans dance to honor all those who serve to protect it. These are followed by a word of thanks to the creator for giving this day. Next is an assortment of dances and dance competitions complete with ornate and colorful regalia which are as unique as the persons performing.

Throughout it all is the spirit of the drum. Much emphasis is placed on the rhythmic beating, and it is often called the “heartbeat of the people,” as well as the “heartbeat of the pauwau,” creating a sense of spiritual harmony. The competition is always respectful and denotes a sense of spiritual oneness among the Indian competitors who have journeyed to the pauwau from around the country. Tradition and pride prevail.

If you would like more information on the Waccamaw Indian People, go to www.waccamawindians.us