MUS200H1 Lecture Notes - Pow Wow, Chief Dan George, The Final Night
Document Summary
Stereotypes: derogatory stereotypes of the american indian abound, and first nations music and dance have often been misrepresented. Important mark of indian identity: highly integrated, banned by american authorities from 1904 to 1934, has changed and developed over time, central to the intertribal gathering (powwow) Competitions the contest dance: competitions have become focal point of intertribal gatherings, many categories (regions, age, style, etc. ) Music and spiritual power: the navajo: navajo cosmos, earth surface people (living and dead, holy people. Illness (mental, physical, emotional and spiritual) results from a misdeed which has offended holy people: ceremonials are necessary to restore harmony and balance to the universe. Holy people: shaman gathers the forces of the spirits that are in all things and directs them and their power to the sick person, use of song, dance, magic spells, sand paintings, sand paintings must be destroyed.
