1. Section Two: Native American Music
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

2. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
Music Contexts
Religion
Social dances
Games
Calendar rituals and events in the life cycle.
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

3. Supernatural Elements
Some individuals, special relationship with music
Form of prayer
Imparted to the humans by spirit beings
Dreams
Visitations
At the legendary time of the tribe’s origin.
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

4. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
Music and Dance
Music and dance are closely related.
Unite members with spirits of their ancestors.
Circular pattern, steps, hand gestures, intricate designs on costumes or face have symbolic meaning.
Dancers often sing, use rattles, sound-makers.
The structures of music and dance often connected.
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

5. Some General Characteristics For Native American Vocal Music
Monophonic
Singing in octaves
Vocables
Repetition
Falsetto
Pulsations on long notes
Pentatonic scale
Descending small note collections
Accompanied by percussion instruments
Percussion and vocals not necessarily metrically united
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

6. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
Musical Examples
Sioux Grass Dance (I:3)
Zuni Lullaby (I:4)
Gadasjot (I:5)
Compare and contrast using the general characteristics above.
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

7. Traditional Instruments
Idiophones: rattles, stick instruments, log drums, etc.
Membranophones: single-headed or double-headed drums; kettledrums, sometimes filled with water.
Chordophones: almost nonexistent
Aerophone: flute, made of wood, cane, and sometimes pottery.
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8. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
Navajo Traditions
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

9. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
Navajo Way of Life
Largest tribe; communities and reservations in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah
Have economic impact on region
Sources of livelihood include coal, uranium, oil, natural gas, lumber; to a lesser degree farming, raising stock, weaving, and silversmithing
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

10. General Characteristics of the Navajo
Some government support for education, health care, business
Costume/dress: men, Western, cowboy hats; women skirts and blouses; both wear jewelry
Houses, modern stucco houses, trailer homes; some old-style circular log & earth hogans
Ceremonial buildings: circular floors, domed roofs; symbolizes earth, mountaintops, sky
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

11. Music from three ceremonial events
A Yeibichai song from the Nightway ceremony (I:6)
The song “Shizhané’é from the Enemyway ceremony (I:7)
The Navajo Sacred Prayer from the Shootingway Ceremony (I:9)
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

12. Yeibichai Song from the Nightway Ceremony
Identify characteristic elements
Yeibichai (YAY-beh-chai) means “gods their grandfathers” and refers to ancestor deities who come to dance at the Nightway ceremony
Masked dancers impersonate the gods
They bring supernatural power and blessing to help a sick person
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13. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
The Singers and Dances
Teams of men from a particular region, no women singers
The teams compete, and best receives a gift the family hosting the event
Will include costumes, masks, a clown figure
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

14. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
The Ritual
Dance occurs on the last night of a nine-day ritual
Will include purification activities, prayer offerings, sand-painting rituals
Then a reenactment of the myth on which the ceremony is based. Like a complex opera
Directed by the singer who must memorize every detail; considered an intellectual and ceremonial leader
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

15. The Circle Dance Song Shizhané’é
The Ndaa dance songs are the ‘hit tunes’ of traditional Navajo life
Includes humorous lyrics about woman leaning against a store front
Identify characteristic elements
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

16. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
The Enemyway Ceremony
Curing Ritual for returning to tribal life
Shizhané’é is one of the songs used in the ceremony
Sickness is brought on by the ghosts of outsiders who have died
Often performed for someone who has been away from home among strangers (in the Armed Forces or in the hospital)
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

17. The Shootingway Ceremony
Part of the creation myth
Restoration of harmony between people, and snakes, water and lightning.
Navajo Sacred Prayer (CD I:9) (recording fades in and out)
Much Native American music is so sacred it is not performed in public.
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

18. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
Newer Navajo Music
Christian hymns, some Mormon influence; evangelical Christianity
“Clinging to a Saving Hand” (CD 1:11)
Native American Church (Peyote Church)
(CD 1:10) Perform in Class!
Country music
“Folsom Prison Blues” (CD 1:7)
Try to conduct this performance in 4/4
The Native-American Flute Revival (I:14)
Intonation issues?
New Composers in Traditional Modes (I:12)
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University

19. Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University
Assignment 2
Create a table in which you identify the presence or absence of each of the following five characteristics (vocables, repetition, falsetto, descending small note collections, and percussion) in the following music: Sioux Grass Dance, Yeibichai, Shizhané’é, Hymn of the Native American Church, Folsom Prison Blues. Please design your table like the following example:
Sioux Grass Dance
Yeibichai
Shizhané’é
Hymn of N.A. Church
Folsom Prison Blues
Vocables
Repetition
Falsetto
Descending Small Note Collections
Percussion
Introduction to World Music, Missouri State University