| Indian Games and Dances with Native Songs: Arranged from American Indian Ceremonials and Sports Contributor(s): Fletcher, Alice C. (Author), Myers, Helen (Introduction by) |
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ISBN: 0803268866 ISBN-13: 9780803268869 Publisher: Bison Books OUR PRICE: $13.50 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 1994 Annotation: One day Alice C. Fletcher realized that "unlike my Indian friends, I was an alien, a stranger in my native land." But while living with the Indians and pursuing her ethnological studies she felt that "the plants, the trees, the clouds and all things had become vocal with human hopes, fears, and supplications." This famous statement comes directly from the preface of this book and was later etched on her tombstone. "I have arranged these dances and games with native songs in order that our young people may recognize, enjoy and share in the spirit of the olden life upon this continent," she wrote. "Indian Games and Dances with Native Songs" is a collection that conveys the pleasure and meaning of music and play and rhythmic movement for American Indians. Many of the activities here described are adapted from ceremonials and sports. Included is a "drama in five dances" celebrating the life of corn. "Calling the Flowers" is an appeal to spirits dwelling underground to join the dancers. Still another dramatic dance, with accompanying songs, petitions clouds to leave the sky. The Festival of Joy, an ancient Omaha ceremony, is centered on a sacred tree. In the second part Indian ball games and games of hazard and guessing are set forth, as well as the popular hoop and javelin game. Fletcher closes with a section on Indian names. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Social Science | Customs & Traditions - Social Science | Anthropology - Cultural & Social |
| Dewey: 394.309 |
| LCCN: 94031508 |
| Lexile Measure: 1200 |
| Physical Information: 0.52" H x 5" W x 8.26" (0.48 lbs) 139 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Plains - Ethnic Orientation - Native American |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: One day Alice C. Fletcher realized that unlike my Indian friends, I was an alien, a stranger in my native land. But while living with the Indians and pursuing her ethnological studies she felt that the plants, the trees, the clouds and all things had become vocal with human hopes, fears, and supplications. This famous statement comes directly from the preface of this book and was later etched on her tombstone. I have arranged these dances and games with native songs in order that our young people may recognize, enjoy and share in the spirit of the olden life upon this continent, she wrote. Indian Games and Dances with Native Songs is a collection that conveys the pleasure and meaning of music and play and rhythmic movement for American Indians. Many of the activities here described are adapted from ceremonials and sports. Included is a drama in five dances celebrating the life of corn. Calling the Flowers is an appeal to spirits dwelling underground to join the dancers. Still another dramatic dance, with accompanying songs, petitions clouds to leave the sky. The Festival of Joy, an ancient Omaha ceremony, is centered on a sacred tree. In the second part Indian ball games and games of hazard and guessing are set forth, as well as the popular hoop and javelin game. Fletcher closes with a section on Indian names. |