Protecting Omaamikwe: The Big Drum Society

In the point of view of actual affect, this ceremony constructs a solid peace between the individuals or tribes joined it. In the ceremony held between Sioux and Ree, they exchanged foods and lots of other goods. After the ceremony, Ree get corns which is what they need as food and a symbol of sacredness. Sioux get tobacco. They also exchanged other important and sacred goods like buffalo meat, bladder and skull. Life was rough in North America back then; people could survive only when they learn to help each other. They form bigger communities to keep the stability of their nation. The representative of Sioux, Matohoshila, said that is should be their responsibility to extend the relationship to different people, and this could be an example of other nations.

This is clearly a large part of Native American history so some people might find it really odd that there was nothing specific to this tribe about their music and how they performed it. According to the Power Point that my group made on tribes from the Southeast, music was used in this area for ceremonies and Powwows (see group presentation). Our Power Point says that instruments used in the music are mainly water drums, striking sticks, rattles, and cylinder drums (see group presentation). According to the Southeast Native Americans website it says that people in this region generally have the same religious beliefs and that religion is “animism”. Along with the basket making that the Chitimacha tribe takes part in, the people in the Southeast region also enjoyed pottery (Southeast Native Americans).

Located at the center of the floor was the drum with its performers (all male), and the singers who were the male drummers and female singers. The female singers were seated just behind the male drummers in a circle. Prior to the initiation of the Powwow, many other things occurred. Miss Indian OU was crowned and everyone joined in celebration by dancing around the center drum. Male and female vocals could both be heard during this time. From here the honoring of certain individuals, families, and anniversaries occurred. It was then time for the Grand Entry. It is important to note that a prayer was carried out before this entry and all were asked to rise due to the presence of the Eagle Staff. The drums then initiated the Grand Entry and well over 100 dancers arrived on the floor. Each Plains dance type from Jingle Dress Dancers to Fancy Dancers was present. Regalia varied between each dance group and during the Grand Entry they each danced their own individual dance.

The onondaga tribe is one of the most interesting tribes in the world. They do all sorts of interesting things. They have a lot of location. They have some traditions. Last they have a lot of present-day facts.

“Put on a show!” The director’s command echoed across the field as the drum corps began its routine in front of thousands of spectators. What attracts people to be involved in such a demanding and strenuous activity? The concept of drum corps has changed drastically over the last 200 years. Tracing its origins from before the American Revolution through the Civil War and into the modern era, today’s concept of drum corps has evolved from a military necessity to a major form of entertainment.

In chapter ten, author Bruno Nettle takes the reader to the town of Browning, Montana, where he is about to witness a modern Native American ceremony. As he observes, he notices that only one-half of the people there are actual Native Americans. The rest are are white tourists and innocent observers just like himself. Eventually, somewhere around eighteen singing groups appear from different tribes and reservations. They will be summoning the dancers into what is known as the grand entry. Nettle notices that the overall style of the music remains the same among all of the different groups, or `drums.' People are able to interact by taking pictures, video and tape recording what goes on. In that

“Put on a show!” The director’s command echoed across the field as the drum corps began its routine in front of thousands of spectators. What attracts people to be involved in such a demanding and strenuous activity? The concept of drum corps has changed drastically over the last 200 years. Tracing its origins from before the American Revolution through the Civil War and into the modern era, today’s concept of drum corps has evolved from a military necessity to a major form of entertainment.

Sometimes song lyrics will explain why a celebration or ritual is taking place; as well as, a recitation of a historical event or use to communicate with spirits for luck or problem solving (Tribaldirectory.com, 2015). While vocals and drum beats were the basic core of the music created by the Native Americans, other instruments; such as, whistles, rattles and flutes were also used in traditional music that would be played for dances and ceremonies (Metmuseum.org, 2015). The video that played The Chief’s Honoring Song, had very strong and passionate lyrics and a subtle background drum beat, which probably told the story of a great chief and how the tribe honored

These tales of the first existence of a drum and the woman who first held it, have been part of the reason why women face restrictions of powwow drumming. Another reason as to why women are not universally encouraged to drum is because they have the ability to menstruate and give birth. Most intertribal teachings agree upon the fact that women who are menstruating or are pregnant, are absolutely not permitted to touch the drum. The reason behind this is the belief that when menstruating or pregnant, the spirit in a woman is too strong and attempting to play the drum would break it or make the woman ill (Hoefnagels 122). Other restrictions root from internal colonialism theories in which, "Native men have internalized non-Native patriarchal views as a means of negotiating their own displacement through colonization" (Hoefnagels 117). Some argue that "the government-imposed

Witness asserts that some are feeling the white presence may systematically appropriate the traditional music, and that the use of electric powwow music should promote the indigenous cultural identity separate from the colonial history of suppression.

Tyehimba Kokay, was in traditional costume, played a drums to welcome everybody to the Ancestral Voice concert. Drum was a traditional instrument that was performed at various events in African. Using drums to begin the concert was a traditional welcoming in the African Yoruban traditions. As Tyehimba Kokay mentioned in the concert, our ancestors used the drums to communicate to each other. That was why he used the drums to communicate and send the messengers to his audiences. The drums not only caught audience’s attention but also presented their homage to the ancestors. The beat of the drums was considered as the heat-beat of the ancestors. From the fast to present, drums always played a significant role in spiritual and emotional African

With the help of hand clapping, one is able to notate it perfectly with eighth notes and sixteenth notes. (Charry, 2000) Moreover, there is a relation between African drumming and physical movement such as dancing. With the help of adding choreography to African drumming, there is a flow and ebb to the performance which corresponds to the frenetic dancing at intense tempos and slower breaks allow the guests to participate the performance. (Charry., 1996). For instance, in our UWA percussion ensemble, adding body percussion to the performance can help us remember the beats and brighten up the performance.

The Akan drum comes from the Akan culture in West Africa which is now present-day Ghana. The drum was not only used as a musical instrument and for celebrations it was also used for communication between villages. The Akan people would use the instrument as a “talking drum”, they would create different tones and sounds using the Akan language that would tell the villagers whether is was time for celebration or whether it was time for them to go to war.

Drums have always been the heartbeat and center of the place of worship for all people and cultures. All cultures have all demonstrated that there is a place of worship for the drums. It does not matter if you are from Japan, African or American; the joy of playing the drums with a spiritual approach makes us all the same. John Coltrane, talks about how we can see the possibilities to help humanity with music. Studies have proof that Drumming demonstrates therapeutic treatments in many health and disabilities.

Over a period of ten days, Alan Merriam takes his readers on a journey through the Basongye Bala tribe on their quest to create the perfect drum. Drum creation and music in general is an important element to the Basongye culture, this can be “witnessed” through this study by how detailed and extensive the process for drum making actually is, the Basongye people ensure every groove and nook is in its correct place. Additionally, the author reminds his readers that even though the purpose of this article is to show how the Basongye Bala folks create drums, that it is not the only investigation that will occur. Any ethnographic investigation can lead to almost anything else; one study can inevitably build upon itself (Merriam 74). This ethnographic study was done through observations of the Bala people.