Alabama Local Customs

  House on Stilts
by Basaic
 
  • House on Stilts
      House on Stilts
    by Basaic
  • 2008 Mobile Mardi Gras Royalty with pages
      2008 Mobile Mardi Gras Royalty with...
    by DG4ever
  • Watching from the Athelstan Club stands
      Watching from the Athelstan Club stands
    by DG4ever
  • Knights of Revelry's Emblem Folly
      Knights of Revelry's Emblem Folly
    by DG4ever
  • Warriors guarding their fellows backs
      Warriors guarding their fellows backs
    by JourneyOf1
 
Best Rates Guaranteed!
BookIt.com You know what to do: Book Online & Save.
Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices

Sponsored Links

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Pow-wows 2006: "Let's Dance!"

by JourneyOf1

Please see the tips above for pow-wow etiquette, what is allowed, what is please not allowed or brought to the festival. Basically mid-spring to November is "Pow-wow Season", and others travel from each dancing and singing, bringing their drums, tents and outdoor gear along just like our people did in the past. http://www.powwows.com/gathering/showthread.php?p=760784#post760784A good website overall to learn about many things Native American, but also with local event listings for Alabama.http://www.500nations.com/Alabama_Events.aspA listing of pow-wows specifically in Alabama, the next is at Ditto Landing June 2. It's a nice one too, been there a few times as its less than 5 minutes from my parents home on the Tennessee River. Contact Betty Abbou if you have any questions at all about this event or Native Americans in general. She is a tremendous NA advocate and personal friend of our...

"We're Going To Pow-wow!" Part 1

by JourneyOf1

What is a pow-wow? Its a celebration, a sharing of cultures, a great opportunity for non-Native Americans to learn about American Indian life, stories, dances, music and beliefs. Many pow-wows these days are open to the public, but there are certain restrictions that should be respected when ones attend, for during certain ceremonies and rituals people are asked not to take photos, example of these would be Grand Entry and some traditional Men's dances, but this is southeast style. Other tribes have different styles.Also a matter of styles, are those used in Smudging, or the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke bath, for purifying, ceremonial and ritual spaces. Sage is commonly used in the southeastern tribes, a cloying odor, invigorating yet soothing at the same time. Sweetgrass is also used, helping to disperse any bad spirits that might arise, it is sharp and rather...

Tip Photo
Men's Style Dances

by JourneyOf1

Men's Dances: Men's Traditional, Men's Straight, Men's Grass, Men's FancyMen's Traditional is just like the name states, an older style dance and dress using sacred eagle feathers and bustles with bone breast plates over leather outfits. The steps are deliberate, as if moving into battle or hunting for game. You will notice dancers with eyes on the ground symbolically searching for enemies. Men's Straight is Southern style of traditional, coming for the formal war dance. Woven garters are wore on the legs, woven sashes at the waist.Men's Grass is also traditional, brightly coloured outfits long fringed at sleeves, very flowing to resemble the long grass fields. Traditionally these dancers came first, trampling down the grasses to prepare for the circle dance. Swaying at shoulders, arms, legs, hips, its a vigourous rhythmic, flowing dance.Men's Fancy, is a new dance, coming after the...

Tip Photo
Different Dances: Women's Styles

by JourneyOf1

Women's Dances: Women's Buckskin, Women's Southern Cloth, Women's Fancy Shawl, Jingle DressSome of these are newer dances, for gatherings of Native Americans on this scale had been forbidden by the USA government at various times. In the 1930s was a strong revival of traditional ways and new dances were created. Women's Buckskin is traditional, dresses made of buckskins decorated with bone, beads, shells and trade beads, as well as fringes and furs. Regalia depends on taste and tribe. Its a slow, graceful dance of steps, toe-heel, toe-heel, making the fringe sway to the drum. Women carry a feather fan and long-fringed shawl for completion. Women's Southern Cloth is very similar, the dress is made of cloth and ribbon work, memories of the times when Native Americans were not allowed to hunt, to gather skins for clothing. Usually these dancers dance together, mothers, married women,...

Tip Photo
"We're Going To Pow-wow!" Part 2

by JourneyOf1

Some Important Things to Know:1. Listen to the Emcee, the man on the mic that gives out all information needed, what is taking place and when, if photos are not allowed, etc. During break times for meals, and for dancers to rest, he also entertains the people. If you have any questions, you are always welcome to go to him and ask. 2. The center of the Powwow is the circle, only go in if invited, it is to be treated with honor and respect. It is closed except for the opening facing east from whence Grand Entry comes. Never cross the border of the circle, or walk across it to get to the other side. You enter walking forward and to your left at all times, only certain times is this different. As on the photo, the men at the end of the dance are walking backwards. It is a warrior's dance, therefore, two warriors are required to guard the back of all others at all times.3. The clothing is...

Tip Photo
Seasonal Bear at Ease!

by TropicGirl77

This particular tip is typical only in Fort Rucker. For years, as the seasons changed, and holidays came and went ~ so was this bear dressed appropriately for each occasion! Today we found him in his PT uniform. He has many outfits painted on him each holiday to include a St Patrick's Day suit and July 4th Patriot outfit.

Tip Photo
Who´s who of Alabama

by KaiM

Who´s the most famous celebrity from Alabama? Is it Courteney Cox starring in NBC´s hit series 'Friends'? She is from Birmingham. Or basketball star Charles Barkley from Leeds, AL.? Baseball´s Hank Aaron from Mobile, AL.? Singer Lionel Richie from Tuskegee, AL.? Or astronaut N. Jan Davis from Huntsville, AL.? Well, they are all quite famous. But for me the biggest celebrity from Alabama is not even a real person. It´s a fictional hero. His name? Forrest Gump. He´s from '´bama', too. And he proved to the rest of the world, that a simple man can make it to the top. A true celebrity...

Driving back-and-forth from...

by SouthJersey

Driving back-and-forth from Mobile to McIntosh every day, I was struck by the number and variety of churches. Some are obviously well-endowed and well attended. While others are just getting by. You could easily spend a day on the highway studying the various alternatives.

Tip Photo
Three important things to...

by jonil

Three important things to remember:1. Y'all is just a contraction of You and all. It is already plural, and does not need an 's'. Don't over do it by addressing one person as y'all. We use 'you' just like everyone else.2. Not everyone from Alabama is a redneck. I'm not denying their existence, but I promise- I was raised there and I do not have an accent.3. Someone said that Alabamians favored the one fingered salute while driving. That's definitely not true. I see it so much more in Atlanta, even though that kind of gesture will get you in serious trouble.

You might try to match the big...

by Priddylady

You might try to match the big smile you'll get when you approach someone. One way of greeting you in Alabama is the one finger wave. If you're in a rural area nine times our of ten the driver you meet will raise his right index finger from the steering wheel and that's our way of saying Hi Y'all. Don't make fun of how we speak in the south! I lived in other states and you sounded as funny to me as we do to you. Being in the South you'll receive such good service at eateries, etc. you'll wnat to leave a generous tip.

Local traditions and culture in Alabama

Top 3 Hotels in Alabama

The Battle House: A Renaissance Hotel  Mobile

 2 Reviews and 150 Opinions  the original battle house hotel was built on the site of general andrew jackson's headquarters... 

 Hotels in Mobile

Hyatt Place Birmingham Inverness  Birmingham

 1 Review and 62 Opinions  the hyatt place is located in central downtown birmingham. the hyatt place has an excellent location... 

 Hotels in Birmingham

Drury Inn & Suites Montgomery  Montgomery

 1 Review and 96 Opinions  the drury inn & suites is a very good moderately priced hotel located south of downtown. the drury... 

 Hotels in Montgomery

1,859 Hotels in Alabama
 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Travel Highlights

The Place

Reviews and photos of Alabama attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Alabama sightseeing.

Experience Alabama
Local Customs: Cities in Alabama
  1. Mobile Local Customs
  2. Montgomery Local Customs
  3. Birmingham Local Customs
  4. Orange Beach Local Customs
  5. Dauphin Island Local Customs
  6. Huntsville Local Customs
  7. Auburn Local Customs
  8. Anniston Local Customs
  9. Spanish Fort Local Customs
  10. Decatur Local Customs
  11. Pell City Local Customs
  12. Homewood Local Customs

More Cities in Alabama

 

Questions and Answers

kellybum profile photo

Q:  Thinking of New Orleans and Gulf Shores next April. Can anyone give me any advice re weather, accommodation etc please? We may... 

TexasDave profile photo

A: The weather in NO and the Gulf coast is great in April, but not exactly swimming weather, unless you are a Polar Bear Club member :) some people do get in the water but... 

Read 6 Replies

postQuestion_button

Click here for best deals for

Great Prices, Great Rooms
hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-914-6835
Save up to 50% on hotels.
Hotwire.com Hotwire: Get a 4-star hotel for a 2-star price.
Best Web Rates Guaranteed
ChoiceHotels.com Compare Up to 5 Hotels by Amenities Find Great Deals Every Day
Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates

Sponsored Links