Choctaw/Comanche artist Tim Nevequaya plays the flute at the Owa-Chito Festival of the Forest on June 22. (Photo by Zach Maxwell)
Choctaw culture on display at Owa-Chito Festival
By ZACH MAXWELL
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
From a Choctaw judge at the annual art show to a ring of booths around a stickball field, the Choctaw Nation was on full display at the Owa-Chito Festival of the Forest last weekend at Beavers Bend State Park.
Several aspects of Choctaw culture and life ways were in the offering for thousands of Owa-Chito visitors. Several tribal members from Texas and surrounding states visited booths displaying Choctaw beadwork, basketry, pottery and other items.
Youth and adult stickball teams held demonstration games on Saturday, with heated competition in both games. Artisans including Judy Davis, Tim Nevequaya and Anthony Thompson demonstrated a variety of native art and expression.
Choctaw food was available thanks to the senior volunteers from the Broken Bow area. The group cooked up “shukha nipi” (hog meat), tanchi labona (hominy soup) and Indian tacos with fry bread. The seniors also sang Choctaw hymns on the Group Camp stage.
Storytelling was offered by Olin Williams, with cultural artifact usage demonstrations by Les Williston. Renowned artist DG Smalling helped judge more than 200 entries by 76 artists in the Kiamichi Owa-Chito Art Show.
Traditional Choctaw colors were on full display with the social dancing demonstrations and the Miss Choctaw Owa-Chito pageant, which was held on Friday.