MOUNDVILLE NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL
October
Moundville, AlabamaRepeatedly named one of Alabama’s Top 10 Events, the Moundville Native American Festival – slated for Wednesday through Saturday during the first full week of every October – celebrates the rich culture and heritage of the Southeastern Indians.
Located at The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park, there are performers, artists, craftspeople and tradition bearers to entertain and educate visitors.
The festival include arts and crafts arbors with pottery, bow making, basketry and more, a knapper's corner with stone toolmakers reproducing ancient works, and an arts market. At a target range, visitors can practice the bow and arrow or try the atlatl, an ancient spear.
The Living History Camp shows life in the late 1700s and early 1800s, with the sights and sounds of native foods cooking, storytelling and enactors in period clothing. The festival’s Food Court, located next to the museum, features a cornucopia of Native American food as well as an abundance of traditional festival concessions.
There is a make and take crafts and a Children’s Area where kids of all ages get firsthand experience in playing native games and making simple crafts. They can make a shell bead necklace, learn the ancient game of stickball or dress up like Southeastern Indians.
Authentic handicrafts, artifact reproductions, art prints, musical instruments, toys, clothing, books, jewelry and a wide assortment of souvenirs are all for sale in the Trader’s Circle or Arts Market.
At the Jones Museum state-of-the-art exhibits tell a story of the nobility who once lived at Moundville. Stunning artifacts are on display, including Smithsonian Museum artifacts originally from Moundville. When you’re there, check the Knotted Bird Gifts shop and The Black Warrior Coffee Company.
The Native American Stage has renowned singers, dancers, storytellers and musicians, a place where audiences can join in the snake dance. Hear the heartbeat of native music as the drum pounds or the rattles shake and listen to voices blended in haunting harmony or a flute sighing as it remembers the wind.
The Edward T. Douglass Nature Trail, winding through scenic Alabama woodlands, is a self-guided tour along a meandering boardwalk of the ancient mounds and archaeological site. It lasts between 2-3 hours.
Moundville Archaeological Park is a division of University of Alabama Museums. The park is located 13 miles south of Exit 71A on I-20/59 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama off of State Highway 69.
For more information visit http://moundville.ua.edu/
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