The stories tell of a warrior society, and at one time, all these songs belonged to just this society. Those who were part of it were warriors who had accomplished deeds in battles. The all-male society had all but disintegrated when it was revived in the 1930's in Oklahoma, and now the gourd society is composed of Native Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. During the gourd dance, dancers wear traditional Native American costumes, usually including capes in the colors red, signifying the blood shed by the warriors, and blue, representing the colors of most uniform coats. The gourd dance will be performed at 11am and 6pm on Saturday, February 24 and at 11am on Sunday, February 25.
Competitive dancing takes place throughout each day.
In addition to dance and drums, there will be vendor booths offering traditional Native American arts, crafts and foods, including bead work, pottery, jewelry, baskets and more plus consumables like fry bread, tacos, tamales and other Indian edibles. The festivities all take place just north of the Avi Resort Hotel Casino, about 15 miles south of Laughlin, Nevada, in a specially prepared arena. This year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Fort Mojave Tribal youth groups and activities. The instrument itself is a drum made from a wooden shell covered in rawhide. Today, cowhide usually is used, although a buffalo hide head in not uncommon.