Yap Ye Iswa

       Yap Ye Iswa (Day of the Catawba) is supported by the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project, is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This celebration allows the Catawba and people from all different backgrounds to be educated about Catawba culture. This cultural preservation effort began in Rock Hill, South Carolina. 
       Displayed at the festival is traditional Catawba art, history, stories, dance, language, music, pottery and food; there are even demonstration of how to prepare the traditional Catawba food. Talks on aspects of Catawba culture like Native American history and archaeology are given as well as lessons on Catawba language. There is storytelling and performances given by traditional drummers and dancers. Potters are able to display and sell their traditional pottery. The Day of the Catawba helps to keep Catawba culture preserved and is a way for non-native people to learn about the culture and heritage of South Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe.

References:

University of South Carolina Lancaster, “Yap Ye Iswa: “Day of the Catawba”

Festival,” USC

Lancaster, http://usclancaster.sc.edu/nas/yapyeiswa/index.html

(accessed May 19, 2010).

University of South Carolina Lancaster, "Yap Ye Iswa: "Day of the Catawba" Festi val November 15, 2008", http://usclancaster.sc.edu/NAS/YapYeIswa/2008/YYI_1.htm, (accessed May 19, 2010).

America's Story From America's Library, "Yap Ye Iswa (Day of the Catawba) A Local Legacy", http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/sc/es_sc_indian_1.html, (accessed May 19, 2010).