Early Sunday afternoon, a procession of American Indians walked into a Columbia arena and began a dance celebrating their heritage.

Wearing feathers and moccasins, the dancers moved in a circle, shuffling their feet and swinging their arms as delighted spectators watched.

The showing opened an afternoon of festivities at Columbia's eighth annual American Indian "powwow," a weekend festival that brings American Indians together each year in South Carolina's capital.

Powwows like the one held at the State Fairgrounds give American Indians a chance to share stories, dance competitively and spread the word about their culture.

"These (powwows) are ways to celebrate and for people to get together to renew friendships," said event organizer Paul Gowder, a Cherokee who estimated that up to 50 different tribes attended the weekend gathering in South Carolina.

Gowder did not have a weekend crowd estimate, but hundreds were at the event early Sunday afternoon.

Booths featuring American Indian crafts and food -- as well as dance contests in the arena -- reminded American Indians and others about their historic way of life, organizers said.

As an intertribal powwow, this past weekend's event highlighted issues common to many American Indians.

Some from tribes as far away as South America attended the event, which ended Sunday.

Teresa Kleeman, a Tuscarora from North Carolina, said the gathering helped her 14-year-old son understand his native culture. The family is among only a few American Indians in their community of Sophia, N.C.

"Back at home, my son is the only Indian in his school,'' she said. "This way, he gets to be around other Indian people.''

The weekend powwow, organized by the Midlands Intertribal Empowerment Group, is also important to the Palmetto State.

South Carolina has a small American Indian population, making up less than 1 percent of the state's population. But it is a viable and important group, said Columbia resident Will Goins, a Cherokee who is an American Indian affairs advocate. Of the nearly 30 tribes that existed when white settlers first came to South Carolina around 1540, remnants of some groups remain.

They include the Cherokee, Pee Dee, Edisto, Santee and Catawba, Gowder said.

Some South Carolina tribes are seeking to be recognized formally by the state and federal governments. The Catawbas are the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina.

A bill working its way through the S.C. Legislature would set up a formal process for the state to recognize tribes. With recognition comes eligibility for federal programs.

"It is important for legitimate tribes in South Carolina to gain recognition,'' Gowder said.