Music typically used, created or performed by Native North Americans, specifically traditional tribal music, is referred to as Native American music. Vocalization and percussion are usually the most important aspects of this type of music. Vocalizations can range from solo and choral song to responsorial, unison and multipart singing. Percussion instruments, particularly drums and rattles, are used to keep tempo for the singers, who use their native language as well as non-lexical vocables.
Traditional Native American music begins with a slow and steady beat that gradually grows faster and more emphatic. Drums and rattles, shouts and accented sound patterns add variety and provide queues for singers and dancers to make changes in the performance. Native American songs include both public pieces and “ ancient and unchanging” secret songs which are used only for sacred ceremonial purposes. Throughout native North American cultures, there are public sacred songs and ritual speeches that may be perceived as musical because of the use of rhythm and melody. Music of the Yuman Culture A group of Native American tribes indigenous to Southern California, and Baja California includes the Cocopa, Havasupai, Kiliwa, Maricopa, Mohave, Paipai, Quechan, Tipai-Ipai, Walapai, Yavapai people. Collectively, these tribes are known as the Yumans (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). According to tradition, Yuman songs are revealed to a person in the dream state. Individuals who are experiencing emotional distress retire to a secluded area for weeks to receive new songs. Typically, Yuman songs are sung in cycles consisting of several interrelated songs. Among the Mohave tribe, a cycle consists of anywhere from 50—200 songs. A single song cycle accompanied by gourd rattles can take all night to perform. Although there are around 12 to 14 variations of Yuman song styles, often these songs are very generally labeled as Bird songs. Traditional Significance of the Bird Songs of the Kumeyaay Nation Bird Songs were originally one of the several specialized song cycles, such as "Wildcat," dances and "Funeral" songs. …show more content…
Known as Kuseyaay, a specialist member of the council of male and female priests, tribal doctors and scientists to the leader, Kwaaypaay, engages in special ceremonies in preparation to sing and lead these song cycles. The Kuseyaay then sings while clan members dance in celebration (Native American News, n.d.). Traditionally, Kumeyaay Bird Songs do not use drums. Instead, gourd or tortoiseshell rattles filled with native palm seeds supply the rhythm needed for singers and dancers to perform.
According to Mr. Cody “Wolf Pack” Sanders, a proud member of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, present day Kumeyaay music and customs have been carefully maintained and passed down through generations (Personal Interview, Oct. 2014). Traditionally, tribal members gather to sing, dance, and share the company of old friends in times of celebration, Kuruck, and grief, Takaay (Native American News, n.d.). A funeral song sequence may include as many as 117 different songs and continue for up to 24 hours. According to Mr. Sanders, the Kumeyaay were the original guardians of Bird Songs composed of approximately 300 pieces that, in place of written language, serve to perpetuate Kumeyaay lifestyle and traditions through the mediums of song and dance. Mr. Sanders further stated that these songs use animal metaphors and allegory to imprint collective teachings about such practicalities as food, geography and the environment, as well as tribal history, customs, and social and moral values (Personal Interview, Oct. 2104). Bird songs use metaphors and allegory to imprint life …show more content…
Traditionally known as halma, gourd rattles were used by indigenous tribes from Southern California, San Diego County, northern Baja California, Mexico. Halmas are played during traditional Native American singing and dancing, including religious ceremonies and performances of bird songs of the Yuman Indians (Bird Songs, n.d. & Native American Rattles, n.d.).
The oldest known examples of indigenous North American rattles are clay rattles, most likely because clay survived the test of time whereas the other organic natural materials deteriorated and were lost (Native American Rattles, n.d.). Mr. Sanders stated that typical Native American musical rattles are generally made from natural gourds, old milk cans with desert willow switches for handles, palm seeds to make rattle sounds, and agave cord binding (Personal Interview,