MUSI 2008 Lecture Notes - Westernization, Indigenous Music Of North America, Folsom Prison Blues
7 Jul 2014
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Document Summary
Impact of external sources on music-making and traditional culture. Largest native nation in us (300 000 + people) Settled in southwest us (arizona, new mexico, utah) 600-700 years ago. Currently live on reservation 71 000 square kilometres in small groups and towns. Range of diversity within community: wealth- some rich, some poor, education, westernization - some are very traditional, others wear everyday clothes, livelihood, residence type, geographic location- Samples of navajo music (showing influences and values: ceremonial/ritual music. The classical music of the navajos: ceremonial chants: core of navajo traditional religious philosophy. Many of the ceremonies reflect navajo conceptions of illness and the necessary. Large repertory with many songs and texts of religious poetry: ex. 50+ ceremonial chants (made of 1000s of songs) recount the navajo creation story. Reflection of navajo conceptions of illness and necessary balance of natural and supernatural world: rituals must take place to restore that balance and heal sick person.
