Author: Jan Hackett

Historical Background
The Gourd Dance is the traditional dance of the Tia-Pe-Go, one of several historic Kiowa warrior societies that originated hundreds of years ago on the Great Plains. These societies served to police and protect tribal encampments. Each society had their own respective songs, dances and traditions. Only two such Kiowa warrior societies exist today: the Tia-Piah and Black Leggings Societies. Oral history relates that the gourd dance was given to the Kiowa by the Red Wolf, who is still honored at the end of every song with a howl.
After decades of dormancy, following the World Wars, the Kiowa revitalized the Gourd Dance in the 1950’s. There are presently three active Kiowa Gourd Dance Societies: the Kiowa Gourd Klan, the Kiowa Tia-Piah Society of Carnegie, Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Tia-Piah. Although the gourd dance has become popular and spread to other tribes and organizations across the country, its origins rest with the Kiowa in southwestern Oklahoma.
Chartered in 1976, the Texas Gulf Coast Tia-Piah continues to honor and follow, as closely as possible, the Kiowa traditions so generously given to it by the Kiowa Tia-Piah Society of Carnegie, Oklahoma.
The Texas Gulf Coast Tia-Piah is a 503c non-profit educational organization that relies on donations, raffles and revenue from concessions to fund it’s various programs and events.

Similar to other Gourd Dance groups sanctioned by the Kiowa, this group is led by four headsmen, a secretary and a treasurer. Following tradition, members must be invited to join and are drawn from well-respected families.
The Texas Gulf Coast Tia-Piah is a
501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that relies on donations, raffles and revenue from concessions to fund it’s various programs and events.

Dances 2019-2020
Texas Gulf coast tia-piah holds dances on the 3rd Saturday of the following months:
September, 21st 2019
November, 16th 2019
january , 18th 2020
March, 21st 2020
Our annual Celebration for 2026 will be held on:
April 17th & 18th

Texas Gulf Coast
Tia-Piah

For additional information visit us
on the web
www.gulfcoasttiapiah.org
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Thank you for attending our powwow. We hope you enjoy yourself…….

Powwow Etiquette
The following provides some basic, introductory guidelines to help you better understand this event and make your experience more enjoyable. If you’re not sure, please be guided by courtesy and common sense. We hope you have fun and leave feeling better than when you arrived.
Listen to the Masters of Ceremonies (MCs) sitting at the east end of the dance arena. They will announce & explain what is happening on a regular basis.
The area inside the benches is called the dance arena. The benches that ring the dance arena are reserved for dancers only. Dancers will reserve a space on a bench by placing a blanket on it prior to the start of the dance. Please do not move someone’s blanket or sit on a blanket unless you are invited to do so by the owner. The chairs immediately behind a blanket belong to the dancer’s family. Please do not move or sit in any chair that does not belong to you without permission.
The public is invited to sit in the bleachers. If you have your own folding chairs, you may also sit behind the dancers’ families.
Appropriate dress and conduct are expected inside the dance arena at all times.

Men should not wear shorts and women should have a shawl. Any exceptions will be announced by the MCs. For example: During a “Blanket Dance” everyone is invited to enter the arena and make a small donation in support of the singers.
Please keep an eye on your children. Do not allow them to run in or around the arena. This is distracting and they may injure themselves or cause property damage.
Alcoholic beverages and drugs are strictly prohibited at all times. If someone appears to be under the influence, they will be asked to leave immediately.
Please make room outside the arena for all dancers in regalia. Please do not touch any dancer or their clothes without permission.
Dance clothes are handmade and require a lot of time and money to assemble. Some items are family heirlooms and some, like beadwork, feathers and headgear, are fragile.
There are times when the audience should stand and remove their hats: prayers, flag songs, veterans’ songs, memorial and other honor songs require quiet, respectful attention. The MCs will always announce these songs and explain what is happening.
In addition, you may see several “Specials” or “Giveaways” during the Dance. After a special song or two, the honored individual and/or family will acknowledge their thanks
by giving gifts to others. A family spokesperson will explain what is happening and the reason for the “Giveaway”. Although these events cause a break in the dancing, they are an essential and important part of this annual celebration. Please be patient and respectful. The dance will resume shortly.
In general, photography is permitted outside the arena, however, if you want to take a picture of a specific dancer or group of dancers, you should always ask permission first. Please, respect the wishes of those who do not want to be photographed. There are times when photographs are not appropriate. Listen, and the MCs will announce them. Never enter the dance area to take photos without the expressed permission of one of our Arena Directors (ADs).
Traditions vary greatly among native peoples, families and tribes. The Texas Gulf Coast Tia-Piah follows and honors the Kiowa traditions given to us by the Kiowa Tia-Piah Society of Carnegie, Oklahoma. Your respect is appreciated.
If you have questions about this pamphlet or the dance, please check with one of the MCs, ADs, or Headsmen during a break in the dancing. They will be happy to help you, as time permits, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their responsibilities for the dance. Thank you! Aho!