After watching the video on the powwow and Dance competitions, I began to research in more depth other dances and traditions that are held. I came across the Gourd Dances which are held regularly by several groups especially in Oklahoma. In modern powwows the dance is being done before, after, and between intertribal dancing. The dance is a ceremonial dance from the Kiowa Tribe. The Gourd dance is a man’s dance which is usually performed by warriors or veterans.
As I was looking into the origins of this dance, I found that the inspiration for the songs follows a Kiowa warrior, the lone survivor of a battle, who is trying to find his way back to the tribe. On his way, he encounters a Red Wolf. Red Wolf is singing and dancing on its hind legs. He is also seen holding a fan in one paw and a rattle in the other. After feeding the warrior he tells him to take the songs back to the tribe. At the end of each Gourd song you will hear the call of the wolf to pay tribute to the Red Wolf.
We've talked about many types of Native American Music, however they were generally located in 'mainland' America. One singing style/technique I got familiar over the course of the pandemic is Inuit throat singing. According to Inuit folklore and legends, the first throat singers weren't Inuit or human, but rather small birds with human-like features called Tunirtuaruit. Traditional Inuit throat singing involves two people, usually women. They face each other and use their throat, belly and diaphragm to expel sounds. The two continue this in different rhythms and songs back and forth until one runs out of breath or laughs.This style of singing requires a lot of multitasking. One needs to be able to make the sounds for the course of a song while also responding to the other person. The Inuit society is one that is matriarchal due to the men often going out hunting for long periods of time, the women would stay home to prepare clothing and food. Throat singing in this case became a way for the women to entertain themselves.
Reckoning
Melody McKiver is an Anishinaabe composer and violist, who “integrates electronics with Western classical music to shape a new genre of Anishinaabe compositions.” When researching pieces to program on my recital, I went looking for composers of today. I happened to find McKiver while browsing the American Viola Society database. These compositions stuck out to me because of how hypnotic and continuous they are. The EP Reckoning, was originally composed as the soundtrack of a theatrical presentation on the impact of Indian Residential Schools on families and the ripples of generational trauma. The music of the EP carries the weight of these emotions and is then divided into five tracks in which McKiver bows and plucks the viola, sometimes looping it and adding electronic effects. The music can sometimes contain very eerie, overlapping textures and at other times thin, brisk passages. In a review by Mary Dickie for Music Works magazine, she states “McKiver creates a world of anxiety, fear, anger, and determination, with repetitive, hypnotic cycles and cresting waves of music that is as heart-wrenching as it is beautiful.”
Ahdi- I absolutely loved your segment on Inuit throat singing! It is something I have been interested in as well ever since I saw a TikToker and her mom practice throat singing. It truly is a complex task as there is a lot of stuff happening while you sing, but it’s a beautiful and connected practice.
As a singer, I found the Inuit throat singing VERY interesting. I think it's so cool that people are able to use their bodies to create such a wide variety of sounds. They are breathing and changing what sounds they are making so quickly. I feel dizzy just watching them sing. Their breath support is absolutely phenomenal, and it must require a great deal of vocal dexterity.
This is great! I am so glad to see someone mentioning throat singing. I've always loved the idea behind it and you did a great job explaining the story with the concept of the human-like birds. Something related that I've always loved is Mongolian throat singing. If you've never seen it before you should check it out! It's a bit different from the Inuit throat singing but it's amazing to see what some people can do with their voice. Great job!
This was awesome to read! I was also interested in more aspects of the Natives. I really appreciate your extensive research on the throat singing. I have seen the girl on TikTok do some of the throat singing with her mother. Before reading your article, I had no idea about why they really do it, and I thought it was so strange and I didn't consider it actual singing, but now I have a newfound appreciation for that, so thank you!
I found the taiko very interesting. I thought it was interesting that this type of drumming was used primarily in military contexts. Also, I thought the dabke dance was very interesting to watch and it was very lively. Thank you for sharing!
Ahdi- I absolutely loved your segment on Inuit throat singing! It is something I have been interested in as well ever since I saw a TikToker and her mom practice throat singing. It truly is a complex task as there is a lot of stuff happening while you sing, but it’s a beautiful and connected practice.
ReplyDeleteAs a singer, I found the Inuit throat singing VERY interesting. I think it's so cool that people are able to use their bodies to create such a wide variety of sounds. They are breathing and changing what sounds they are making so quickly. I feel dizzy just watching them sing. Their breath support is absolutely phenomenal, and it must require a great deal of vocal dexterity.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I am so glad to see someone mentioning throat singing. I've always loved the idea behind it and you did a great job explaining the story with the concept of the human-like birds. Something related that I've always loved is Mongolian throat singing. If you've never seen it before you should check it out! It's a bit different from the Inuit throat singing but it's amazing to see what some people can do with their voice. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis was awesome to read! I was also interested in more aspects of the Natives. I really appreciate your extensive research on the throat singing. I have seen the girl on TikTok do some of the throat singing with her mother. Before reading your article, I had no idea about why they really do it, and I thought it was so strange and I didn't consider it actual singing, but now I have a newfound appreciation for that, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteI found the taiko very interesting. I thought it was interesting that this type of drumming was used primarily in military contexts. Also, I thought the dabke dance was very interesting to watch and it was very lively. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete