Sahawe and Kossa Dancers joining Kwahadis on Tour

The Sahawe Indian Dancers were originally founded in 1950 as the Comanche Club Indians by Scoutmaster of Troop 81 in Uvalde, Texas, Joe W. Williams, as a program for older boys in scouting. Mr. Williams had read about a similar program in La Junta, Colorado, known as the Koshare Indian Dancers, and their Buck Burshears. Mr. William and Mr. Burshears corresponded for some time about the possibilities of starting such an Indian dance group in Uvalde. The name of the group was changed to Sahawe Indian Dancers in 1952.

Their first performance was a three minute dance for a Boy Scout Camporee held on the Nueces River, south of Uvalde,Texas. The group had no idea that it would grow into a full time project. Following that performance, they received calls to dance again and again. Several months after that first performance, they were invited to represent the Concho Valley Council, BSA, at a Scout Circus in Ft. Worth, Texas in the Will Rogers Coliseum before 14,000 people.

During the past 50 years several hundred boys have gone through the Sahawe program performing over 2000 shows. They have been designated as Uvalde’s “Ambassadors of Good Will” and were selected as Uvalde’s #1 tourist attractions by the Texas Travel Writers.

The Sahawe organization is made up of boys and girls ranging from the 5th grade through high school and beyond. Many former members still perform with the group when their schedule permits.

Along with their Sahawe activities, the boys are also active in their schools, churches, and other activities. Many excel in athletics, band, scholastics, and 4-H, winning local, area, and state awards. It takes great dedication to juggle all of these activities.

They have danced at the 2007 and 2008 Comache Homecoming Pow Wow in Walters, Oklahoma. at Sultan Park.

The Kossa Dancers began in 1969 as West-Cal Chapter of the Order of the Arrow Dance Team. Over the next few years, the team grew, produced 27 state champion dance teams, two bi-state champion dance teams, and placed in the top three teams in the United States twice. The team was voted the most authentic team in the nation at the National Order of the Arrow Conference, the first team to ever win this award.

In 1983, the decision was made to form an Explorer Post, for youth who wanted to study and perform in more depth. Kossa Dancers will perform for any area organization for a nominal fee to cover expenses. Over the years, the group has included many Eagle Scouts, a number of whom are still active within the organization.

In December 1991, Kossa Plaza was opened, giving the group its own dance theatre for youth. The Plaza, located in Sulphur, La., features a large oval stage. At one end is a wide stair way and wall, modeled after a kiva of an actual pueblo. At the other end is a pueblo village of several stories. Dancers can enter the performance area from the stairway or from ladders down the pueblo wall. The building also includes a Trading Post and numerous works of art done by natives of the Southwest.

The year 2003 brought the introduction of the Red Cactus Flower Dancers into the Kossa organization. At the Winter show in February 2005, a training team was formed of younger boys and girls, to begin getting them ready to move into the dance team when they progress and age enough to be able to dance and travel with the older members.

The Kossa's have traveled nation-wide to perform with their friends the Koshare, Kwahadi and Sahawe Indian Dancers.

Come join us, take the tour with us and see Ireland, Scotland, UK and Paris through our Eyes.

John Madden