Music of Indigenous Americans

In my opinion, taking the occasional deep dive into unknown areas of music is vital to being a musician. The history of music helps to explain the process of how music has evolved, so understanding music history is also important as a musician as well. 

As a musician and a human, I value intention strongly, so naturally, I want to know more about the purpose of indigenous music. Because of this class, I know Native American people use music to connect to nature, spirituality, and their community. Upon research, I found that music and the arts are used to heal. In "Complete Guide To Complementary Therapies," Barrie R. Cassileth focuses on the Navajo Tribe and their use of musical ceremonies to restore health in their people. Music is combined with herbs, dances, and other rituals to encourage healing. The chants are typically long and complex, so singers only learn a few. (Cassileth, 2011) Indigenous people pay close attention to their health and the health of others, which I find quite inspirational.

Another interesting topic of Native American music is their use of percussion. Thanks to Google, I found out there are three main types of drums used by indigenous people: single-headed drums, double-headed drums, and kettledrums. According to an article from Britannica, drums are made from natural materials. The drum frame is made from wood that has been soaked and bent into a circle. The drum head is made out of deer hide and stretched across the frame. The frame of a kettledrum is partially filled with water and can also be made with metal or ceramics. I already love percussion, but learning about drumming through someone else's eyes is even more fascinating.

The last rabbit hole I'm going down has nothing to do with music and everything to do with fashion. Native American headdresses are beautiful, and the meaning and style are individual to each tribe. In an article named "Indian Headdresses from Different Tribes," I learned several purposes for headdresses such as a symbol of honor, ceremonies, expression, accentuating beauty, and even war. Some were simple, like the feathered headdress, or more intricate, and dare I say jaw-dropping, like the Aztec and Mayan headdresses that were beautifully adorned with colorful feathers and even jewels. The beauty of these remarkable decorative hats will NEVER cease to amaze me.

Citations

Cassileth, Barrie R. "The Complete Guide to Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care Essential Information for Patients, Survivors and Health Professionals." World Scientific, 2011. 

Levine, Victoria Lindsey. “Native American Music.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 31 Jan. 2014, https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-American-music.

“Indian Headdresses from Different Tribes.” Indian Headdress, 2016, https://indianheaddress.com/blogs/news/96525382-indian-headdresses-from-different-tribes.