Full Version: Drums
A Lakota Native told a friend of mine that it is not proper for women to 'play' the native american drum. Anyhone know any info reguarding this topic. thanks
I would regard it as second hand information. I do not see much danger in our losing the Drum. Many are coming to it, even Women. It is reflective of these times. Our very innate Identities have been assailed and we have quit knowing things for a Season. This Season of unknowing has closed. Yet, at Ceremonies, we still have Health in regards to the Drum and Rattle, and the Relationships to them still flourish.
That there are Lakota voices who deride those who do not understand the Relationships necessary in regards to these instruments is a result of their caring fro these ways. That it seems to come out gender or race based is a result of our just beginning to send our Voices. I have come to see there is no replacement for us, and that as we continue to expose the world to us, to our music, to the ways we are, and the way we sound, our Identity will become more obvious. These things have a way of finding their balance.
Toksa Ake
That there are Lakota voices who deride those who do not understand the Relationships necessary in regards to these instruments is a result of their caring fro these ways. That it seems to come out gender or race based is a result of our just beginning to send our Voices. I have come to see there is no replacement for us, and that as we continue to expose the world to us, to our music, to the ways we are, and the way we sound, our Identity will become more obvious. These things have a way of finding their balance.
Toksa Ake
QUOTE(ziffy @ Apr 30 2009, 05:51 PM) 
A Lakota Native told a friend of mine that it is not proper for women to 'play' the native american drum. Anyhone know any info reguarding this topic. thanks
Hey there Ziffy gal!
There are indeed still some folks out there they do not approve of women playing flutes or drums.
I have both, and I play them, admire them, cherish them, and share them with great respect and appreciation!
Gosh oh gee, oh golly, when you think about it, . . . it has not been all that long since women were Not supposed to wear pants!
I feel that today's women are helping to reshape some of the old ways . . . one peaceful song, and one loving heart beat at a time!
There are indeed still some folks out there they do not approve of women playing flutes or drums.
I have both, and I play them, admire them, cherish them, and share them with great respect and appreciation!
Gosh oh gee, oh golly, when you think about it, . . . it has not been all that long since women were Not supposed to wear pants!
I feel that today's women are helping to reshape some of the old ways . . . one peaceful song, and one loving heart beat at a time!
QUOTE(oyateunderground @ May 1 2009, 05:18 AM)
I would regard it as second hand information. I do not see much danger in our losing the Drum. Many are coming to it, even Women. It is reflective of these times. Our very innate Identities have been assailed and we have quit knowing things for a Season. This Season of unknowing has closed. Yet, at Ceremonies, we still have Health in regards to the Drum and Rattle, and the Relationships to them still flourish.
That there are Lakota voices who deride those who do not understand the Relationships necessary in regards to these instruments is a result of their caring fro these ways. That it seems to come out gender or race based is a result of our just beginning to send our Voices. I have come to see there is no replacement for us, and that as we continue to expose the world to us, to our music, to the ways we are, and the way we sound, our Identity will become more obvious. These things have a way of finding their balance.
Toksa Ake
That there are Lakota voices who deride those who do not understand the Relationships necessary in regards to these instruments is a result of their caring fro these ways. That it seems to come out gender or race based is a result of our just beginning to send our Voices. I have come to see there is no replacement for us, and that as we continue to expose the world to us, to our music, to the ways we are, and the way we sound, our Identity will become more obvious. These things have a way of finding their balance.
Toksa Ake
Thank you for this information. I feel better. I'm trying so hard to learn the ropes and I certainly don't want to disrespect the Native Americans. Peace. Ziffy
QUOTE(Marsha @ May 1 2009, 08:19 AM)
Hey there Ziffy gal!
There are indeed still some folks out there they do not approve of women playing flutes or drums.
I have both, and I play them, admire them, cherish them, and share them with great respect and appreciation!
Gosh oh gee, oh golly, when you think about it, . . . it has not been all that long since women were Not supposed to wear pants!
I feel that today's women are helping to reshape some of the old ways . . . one peaceful song, and one loving heart beat at a time!
There are indeed still some folks out there they do not approve of women playing flutes or drums.
I have both, and I play them, admire them, cherish them, and share them with great respect and appreciation!
Gosh oh gee, oh golly, when you think about it, . . . it has not been all that long since women were Not supposed to wear pants!
I feel that today's women are helping to reshape some of the old ways . . . one peaceful song, and one loving heart beat at a time!
Marsha, thanks so much for this perpective. You are so right re: the pants theme. I work in the medical profession and just can't see myself in a white uniform with all the maneuvers to take an x-ray with a dress on . Some of my elder male patients would love it but that's not what I'm there for. Thanks again. That makes me fell better. peace and hugs .ziffy
if there is one thing I've learned in 13 years of playing indigenous music (drums, percussion, didgeridoo, flutes, etc.) is that the cultures are quite diverse.
the western mind (mine included...but read on) wants to lump various cultures, tribes, groups, villages into a group and put a label on it and then ascribe a general behavior to it.
I've found that indigenous cultures just don't work that way.....some Lakota may not let women drum (don't know if this is true or not....) but does that mean that all Lakota have the same policy and does that mean that all native north american peoples are the same or have a similar policy?......NO....hardly
So OK....way back when....I was learning djembe and african rhythms.....I got a rhythm book on west african rhythms....I learned many of them from the book...."Oh...now I know all these rhythms," I thought to myself...then I got a second african rhythm book.....much to my disappointment, most of the rhythms and various rhythmic parts did not agree with the first book......western mind again....LOL....then I got a third african rhythm book....guess what....it didn't agree with the first two books.....
my western mind was upset to say the least.....it really took me a while to get a grip on the fact that indigenous peoples do as they do....most of their traditions are oral tradition and many learn what they learn in their village or tribe or whatever......so you learn how to play that rhythm from the elders in your village.....a few miles away in another village, their elders are teaching it differently because that's how they learned it from their elders.....the rhythms in each book were based on research the authors did, but each author obviously had different sources.
this is similar to family recipes......lets say, you learn how to make apple pie from your grandmother.....she learned it from her mother....but your neighbor a few doors down has a completely different recipe for apple pie and it tastes completely different
so here's the point...finally
what you've heard about drumming may or may not be true.....but, try not to generalize it into a blanket rule that covers all north american indigenous peoples or even all Lakota.
if you want to drum, please do so.....but if you are in a sacred ceremony of an indigenous culture, then it is respectful to follow their ways and traditions (when in rome......do as the romans do)
the western mind (mine included...but read on) wants to lump various cultures, tribes, groups, villages into a group and put a label on it and then ascribe a general behavior to it.
I've found that indigenous cultures just don't work that way.....some Lakota may not let women drum (don't know if this is true or not....) but does that mean that all Lakota have the same policy and does that mean that all native north american peoples are the same or have a similar policy?......NO....hardly
So OK....way back when....I was learning djembe and african rhythms.....I got a rhythm book on west african rhythms....I learned many of them from the book...."Oh...now I know all these rhythms," I thought to myself...then I got a second african rhythm book.....much to my disappointment, most of the rhythms and various rhythmic parts did not agree with the first book......western mind again....LOL....then I got a third african rhythm book....guess what....it didn't agree with the first two books.....
my western mind was upset to say the least.....it really took me a while to get a grip on the fact that indigenous peoples do as they do....most of their traditions are oral tradition and many learn what they learn in their village or tribe or whatever......so you learn how to play that rhythm from the elders in your village.....a few miles away in another village, their elders are teaching it differently because that's how they learned it from their elders.....the rhythms in each book were based on research the authors did, but each author obviously had different sources.
this is similar to family recipes......lets say, you learn how to make apple pie from your grandmother.....she learned it from her mother....but your neighbor a few doors down has a completely different recipe for apple pie and it tastes completely different
so here's the point...finally
what you've heard about drumming may or may not be true.....but, try not to generalize it into a blanket rule that covers all north american indigenous peoples or even all Lakota.
if you want to drum, please do so.....but if you are in a sacred ceremony of an indigenous culture, then it is respectful to follow their ways and traditions (when in rome......do as the romans do)
QUOTE(Mark Reinheimer @ May 1 2009, 09:59 AM)
if there is one thing I've learned in 13 years of playing indigenous music (drums, percussion, didgeridoo, flutes, etc.) is that the cultures are quite diverse.
the western mind (mine included...but read on) wants to lump various cultures, tribes, groups, villages into a group and put a label on it and then ascribe a general behavior to it.
I've found that indigenous cultures just don't work that way.....some Lakota may not let women drum (don't know if this is true or not....) but does that mean that all Lakota have the same policy and does that mean that all native north american peoples are the same or have a similar policy?......NO....hardly
So OK....way back when....I was learning djembe and african rhythms.....I got a rhythm book on west african rhythms....I learned many of them from the book...."Oh...now I know all these rhythms," I thought to myself...then I got a second african rhythm book.....much to my disappointment, most of the rhythms and various rhythmic parts did not agree with the first book......western mind again....LOL....then I got a third african rhythm book....guess what....it didn't agree with the first two books.....
my western mind was upset to say the least.....it really took me a while to get a grip on the fact that indigenous peoples do as they do....most of their traditions are oral tradition and many learn what they learn in their village or tribe or whatever......so you learn how to play that rhythm from the elders in your village.....a few miles away in another village, their elders are teaching it differently because that's how they learned it from their elders.....the rhythms in each book were based on research the authors did, but each author obviously had different sources.
this is similar to family recipes......lets say, you learn how to make apple pie from your grandmother.....she learned it from her mother....but your neighbor a few doors down has a completely different recipe for apple pie and it tastes completely different
so here's the point...finally
what you've heard about drumming may or may not be true.....but, try not to generalize it into a blanket rule that covers all north american indigenous peoples or even all Lakota.
if you want to drum, please do so.....but if you are in a sacred ceremony of an indigenous culture, then it is respectful to follow their ways and traditions (when in rome......do as the romans do)
the western mind (mine included...but read on) wants to lump various cultures, tribes, groups, villages into a group and put a label on it and then ascribe a general behavior to it.
I've found that indigenous cultures just don't work that way.....some Lakota may not let women drum (don't know if this is true or not....) but does that mean that all Lakota have the same policy and does that mean that all native north american peoples are the same or have a similar policy?......NO....hardly
So OK....way back when....I was learning djembe and african rhythms.....I got a rhythm book on west african rhythms....I learned many of them from the book...."Oh...now I know all these rhythms," I thought to myself...then I got a second african rhythm book.....much to my disappointment, most of the rhythms and various rhythmic parts did not agree with the first book......western mind again....LOL....then I got a third african rhythm book....guess what....it didn't agree with the first two books.....
my western mind was upset to say the least.....it really took me a while to get a grip on the fact that indigenous peoples do as they do....most of their traditions are oral tradition and many learn what they learn in their village or tribe or whatever......so you learn how to play that rhythm from the elders in your village.....a few miles away in another village, their elders are teaching it differently because that's how they learned it from their elders.....the rhythms in each book were based on research the authors did, but each author obviously had different sources.
this is similar to family recipes......lets say, you learn how to make apple pie from your grandmother.....she learned it from her mother....but your neighbor a few doors down has a completely different recipe for apple pie and it tastes completely different
so here's the point...finally
what you've heard about drumming may or may not be true.....but, try not to generalize it into a blanket rule that covers all north american indigenous peoples or even all Lakota.
if you want to drum, please do so.....but if you are in a sacred ceremony of an indigenous culture, then it is respectful to follow their ways and traditions (when in rome......do as the romans do)
Thank you Mark. I ,as said before, am just trying to learn the different cultures without crossing any boundries. Your reply has helped me tremendously to understand this .
Thanks again for your response. Arkansas Ziffy
If you are in a situation or group that you are unsure of (as for traditions), ask! 
Beth
Beth
Great advice Mark & Beth! This Portal has such a great team of fine flute folks!!! 
Thanks Ya'll!
This Portal has such a great team of fine flute folks!!! Thanks Ya'll!
Great quesion Ziffy,
and very stimulating discussion here.....brings up a powerful point!!!
Cultural diversity is a wonderful thing, and it can also be a point of challenge. The evolution of humanity may depend upon egalitarian magnanimity and the cessation of discrimination. It is truly, at the very least, our best hope. Mysteriously, it all begins with acknowledgement and respect, of the various preferences and practices of others somehow without condemnation......a tough place to arrive sometimes......and from that point we have a chance for true sovereignty of the self....freedom. :-))
peace & respect ~Will
and very stimulating discussion here.....brings up a powerful point!!!
Cultural diversity is a wonderful thing, and it can also be a point of challenge. The evolution of humanity may depend upon egalitarian magnanimity and the cessation of discrimination. It is truly, at the very least, our best hope. Mysteriously, it all begins with acknowledgement and respect, of the various preferences and practices of others somehow without condemnation......a tough place to arrive sometimes......and from that point we have a chance for true sovereignty of the self....freedom. :-))
peace & respect ~Will
Whenever involved with an event that is a Native sponsored event, always ask, just as you should always ask the customs of any group you are not familiar with.
The Lakota tend to be rather traditional when it comes to women playing the flute and drum....and that is, they should not.....at tribal events. When the event is not an officially sanctioned tribal event, however, today's less stringent attention to tradition, may be followed. (One of the reasons Nicole plays silver flute, with Brule.)
Not all peoples have the same taboos, however, so ask what is acceptable to the people in question.
The Lakota tend to be rather traditional when it comes to women playing the flute and drum....and that is, they should not.....at tribal events. When the event is not an officially sanctioned tribal event, however, today's less stringent attention to tradition, may be followed. (One of the reasons Nicole plays silver flute, with Brule.)
Not all peoples have the same taboos, however, so ask what is acceptable to the people in question.
What I've heard about the flute, and I don't know if this pertains also to drums, was that it was a used as a form of courting ritual, and it was the man who played a flute to attract a young woman. So it was considered improper for the woman to play. I've also heard there are still some strict Native American groups that won't allow single women near a flute for fear of them becoming "Bewitched" by it's magic.
I don't know if any of that is true... this is just what was told to me.
My personal opinion, after hearing the music of Mary Youngblood and Jan Seiden, I'm glad women play!!!
On a side note, because of my involvement with the flutes in the last year... hey wait, it's been over a year now!!!
I've become much more aware of different beliefs and I'm trying very hard to learn and understand and respect all my brothers and sisters, whoever they are.
I don't know if any of that is true... this is just what was told to me.
My personal opinion, after hearing the music of Mary Youngblood and Jan Seiden, I'm glad women play!!!
On a side note, because of my involvement with the flutes in the last year... hey wait, it's been over a year now!!!
I've become much more aware of different beliefs and I'm trying very hard to learn and understand and respect all my brothers and sisters, whoever they are.
Women didn't Drum simply because it was a Man thing, they were not "prohibited". Some Woman who felt an affinity with Man Ways would choose to live that way and do those things. So too Men who found an affinity with Woman Ways, they would live as Women. Women mandated everything. They in fact owned everything, and the Man went to live among the Woman's People. The current manifestations of dogma related command and control issues within the Oyate are primarily due to our loss of Identity and understanding of Lakol Wicohan. By bringing back the Woman Power of the Feminine, we are beginning to mend again. For too long we have aped the dominating culture and their machismo, and forgotten our Ways come from a Woman.
WWW
WWW
QUOTE(RhythmRancher @ Jun 1 2009, 10:22 AM)
Great quesion Ziffy......and very stimulating discussion here.....brings up a powerful point!!!
Cultural diversity is a wonderful thing, and it can also be a point of challenge. For an extreme example when i lived in Hawaii, i learned that to the ancient Kahuna priests and the Kings, at one time, it was considered "Kapu" for women to eat a banana. Kapu means that act is strictly forbidden and the punishment is death, and there is no exception.
wow.... i thought to myself....what the ?????
Ok, that really pressed my buttons, however, it doesnt mean that i can't still love many of the truths and insights that the ancient Kahuna offer. It does not necessarily invalidate the goodness and the potencies that the culture is brimming with. It just means that there is one prohibition that i do not relate to or understand. It could be my own ignorance that disables me from seeing clearly, or it could be that things have changed significantly, or it might even be that it is simply not conceivable to me for some reason, or it is possible that it might be the most obvious reason for downfall of the Kahuna tradition. Perhaps a good topic for anthropological research and deeper comprehension.
Prohibition, and limitation of freedoms, especially for women, is something humans have begun to realize is highly questionable, if not unreasonable and archaic altogether. The evolution of humanity may depend upon egalitarian magnanimity and the cessation of discrimination. It is truly, at the very least, our best hope. Mysteriously, it all begins with acknowledgement and respect, of the various preferences and practices of others somehow without condemnation......a tough place to arrive sometimes......and from that point we have a chance for true sovereignty of the self....freedom. :-))
peace & respect ~Will
Cultural diversity is a wonderful thing, and it can also be a point of challenge. For an extreme example when i lived in Hawaii, i learned that to the ancient Kahuna priests and the Kings, at one time, it was considered "Kapu" for women to eat a banana. Kapu means that act is strictly forbidden and the punishment is death, and there is no exception.
wow.... i thought to myself....what the ?????
Ok, that really pressed my buttons, however, it doesnt mean that i can't still love many of the truths and insights that the ancient Kahuna offer. It does not necessarily invalidate the goodness and the potencies that the culture is brimming with. It just means that there is one prohibition that i do not relate to or understand. It could be my own ignorance that disables me from seeing clearly, or it could be that things have changed significantly, or it might even be that it is simply not conceivable to me for some reason, or it is possible that it might be the most obvious reason for downfall of the Kahuna tradition. Perhaps a good topic for anthropological research and deeper comprehension.
Prohibition, and limitation of freedoms, especially for women, is something humans have begun to realize is highly questionable, if not unreasonable and archaic altogether. The evolution of humanity may depend upon egalitarian magnanimity and the cessation of discrimination. It is truly, at the very least, our best hope. Mysteriously, it all begins with acknowledgement and respect, of the various preferences and practices of others somehow without condemnation......a tough place to arrive sometimes......and from that point we have a chance for true sovereignty of the self....freedom. :-))
peace & respect ~Will
I would simply say it is a lot closer to the Zen way of Shakuhachi than the corny stories they perpetuate now. The Siyotanka (speaking only of Lakota) is part of the Elk Way. The Elk Way is deep and is full of responsibilities. The Siyotanka wasn't some simple "chick" lure, and Women were not a "grand prize" to be given by the "Big Chief". The utter misrepresentations, propaganda really, of our ways is so complete, it seems a waste of time to try and dispel them. It really is too, because we yet live and we yet know and we yet congregate. Hopefully, I will be at a Sundance at Wind Cave here the middle of the month, there is a Man and a Woman there who I have learned a lot from, including about Plants important to the Elk Way. So it is, our Way yet lives.
QUOTE(Just Jim @ Jun 1 2009, 12:09 PM)
What I've heard about the flute, and I don't know if this pertains also to drums, was that it was a used as a form of courting ritual, and it was the man who played a flute to attract a young woman. So it was considered improper for the woman to play. I've also heard there are still some strict Native American groups that won't allow single women near a flute for fear of them becoming "Bewitched" by it's magic.
I don't know if any of that is true... this is just what was told to me.
My personal opinion, after hearing the music of Mary Youngblood and Jan Seiden, I'm glad women play!!!
On a side note, because of my involvement with the flutes in the last year... hey wait, it's been over a year now!!!
I've become much more aware of different beliefs and I'm trying very hard to learn and understand and respect all my brothers and sisters, whoever they are.
I don't know if any of that is true... this is just what was told to me.
My personal opinion, after hearing the music of Mary Youngblood and Jan Seiden, I'm glad women play!!!
On a side note, because of my involvement with the flutes in the last year... hey wait, it's been over a year now!!!
I've become much more aware of different beliefs and I'm trying very hard to learn and understand and respect all my brothers and sisters, whoever they are.
QUOTE(oyateunderground @ Jun 2 2009, 10:42 AM)
I would simply say it is a lot closer to the Zen way of Shakuhachi than the corny stories they perpetuate now. The Siyotanka (speaking only of Lakota) is part of the Elk Way. The Elk Way is deep and is full of responsibilities. The Siyotanka wasn't some simple "chick" lure, and Women were not a "grand prize" to be given by the "Big Chief". The utter misrepresentations, propaganda really, of our ways is so complete, it seems a waste of time to try and dispel them. It really is too, because we yet live and we yet know and we yet congregate. Hopefully, I will be at a Sundance at Wind Cave here the middle of the month, there is a Man and a Woman there who I have learned a lot from, including about Plants important to the Elk Way. So it is, our Way yet lives.
Ahhh, and this is my problem exactly. And why I said I'm trying to learn and understand the truth, because honestly without actually being there I have no clue what is the truth and what is the propaganda.
Someday I hope to meet someone like the man and woman in the Wind cave.
Someone who can teach me how it really was, not how some of my ancestors said it was.
I wish my great grandmother was still alive.
I will NEVER forgive my father from cutting me off from that side of the family.
I will NEVER forgive my father from cutting me off from that side of the family.
QUOTE(oyateunderground @ Jun 2 2009, 06:42 AM)
The utter misrepresentations, propaganda really, of our ways is so complete, it seems a waste of time to try and dispel them.
I can only imagine your frustration, but because I believe in the power of stories my hope is that you won't see educating others (broadening their perspectives) as a waste of time. I have already learned a lot from you. Thank you.
Wopila. It is a Circle.
Wanbli WiWohpe
Wanbli WiWohpe
QUOTE(pvanheuklom @ Jun 2 2009, 07:32 AM)
I can only imagine your frustration, but because I believe in the power of stories my hope is that you won't see educating others (broadening their perspectives) as a waste of time. I have already learned a lot from you. Thank you.
The big problem I have is when someone asks me about a flute and it's history or it's origin, I'm never exactly sure how to respond.
That's when I realize just how little I actually know.
That's when I realize just how little I actually know.
Equinimity is beautiful...
Tenzin
I am at the least 1/4 Native American at most probably about 3/8ths, Cherokee, Choctaw and not sure about Lakota. I have had run-ins with attitude (someone else's) and been opposed and ignored because I play flute and have made my own drums. I overheard an individual who at the time was a fairly well known southern MC (Apache) telling a group a little girls (including my daughter) whom he was teaching dance to that women can't touch drums or flutes because they give bad energy. This same man however would help his wife make shawls (men aren't supposed to touch shawls according to his traditions also, or so I am told) totally not seeing the discrepancy about all this. (he has since made himself rather unpopular from just being the jerk he is to a local council and lied about many things)
I complained to the director of the organization (Navajo/Apache) who said I must respect his ways. Without batting an eye I said he must respect mine too. A year later she asked me to teach the flute for cultural training (local ISD) and after I signed the contract I was told only the boys would perform, but the girls could learn at lessons but not take the flutes home like the boys could. This upset and confused me. She said the Elders (whom I never saw at the classes, what are Elders SUPPOSED to do??? Who's teaching???) who were mostly Plains tribe made this decree and she made it sound like flutes would not be taught otherwise. I said, "but I am Eastern Woodland, and a lot of these kids are Creek"...didn't matter and no discussion once she looked at me and walked away. I ended up giving away some small flutes made by a friend of mine to the girls.
When I talked to her boss later just before the recital, I told her I felt like I was being asked to participate in discrimination against both my gender and my own tribal culture and I found it odd that a woman would be hired to teach something girls aren't allowed to learn. The boss said it would not happen that way ever again and to talk to her if the contract was offered to me again (she is a black lady who lived through the 60's and does not tolerate any discrimination) and I would have full control of teaching. My request was that I could teach the flute like an instrument and not as a means of segregating tribe from tribe and gender from gender. She (the Navajo) would divide the kids up into gender and tribe, where I would have divided them according to age and ability.
What disservice these attitudes bring to the teaching environment! If I had not already had teaching experience this would have a been a nightmare. As it was, it was NOT an enjoyable teaching experience.
Many things learned here. Never let a nonmusician tell you how to teach music. She said to me after the recital (just to illustrate how much she doesn't get music and learning an instrument) that she would be willing to give these flutes to the kids if they master ten songs. I don't know if she lets the kids practice (how else would they learn it) because I stepped away from the group. I was too taken aback at this idea and I knew it would do no good to correct her on this...it is the instrument one learns...the songs will follow. And the NAF is a personal, improvisational instrument (I emphasised that a lot with the kids, practice assignment included just PLAY)
I did a lot of research and found a lot of things on this subject. I suppose I ought to compile them but I leave you with a quote by, I think, Charles Littleleaf, "If Creator sees fit to give a woman the talent to play the flute, who am I to tell her she can't"
(open to correction in wording and who really made this quote, it might have been a friend of his)
I see the looks on people's face when I play...I have no doubt Creator gave me this gift. And any gift belongs rightly to the one who carries it, to decide what is the best thing to do with it.
One more thought, and I would put this to any who wants to continue believing they can keep their women down while getting their tribe to rise up from the ashes of their ancestor's trials...Music is powerful medicine. If you continue to deny that power to half your population, your people will remain at half power. I can't imagine, where the First Americans are concerned, what could make the US government any happier.
My path is opening up before my eyes, in ways that amaze me. If it wasn't right for me to walk it, this path would never have appeared. I have gotten some flack and no doubt I will get more. Music is for everyone, and this music is no exception. What I see in the eyes of my audience is worth far more than a dying imposed patriarchal narrowness that no longer has a place in our species' evolution. If you feel the urge to play, then playing is right for you.
play in love and love will light your way
(getting off my high horse now) Alisa
I complained to the director of the organization (Navajo/Apache) who said I must respect his ways. Without batting an eye I said he must respect mine too. A year later she asked me to teach the flute for cultural training (local ISD) and after I signed the contract I was told only the boys would perform, but the girls could learn at lessons but not take the flutes home like the boys could. This upset and confused me. She said the Elders (whom I never saw at the classes, what are Elders SUPPOSED to do??? Who's teaching???) who were mostly Plains tribe made this decree and she made it sound like flutes would not be taught otherwise. I said, "but I am Eastern Woodland, and a lot of these kids are Creek"...didn't matter and no discussion once she looked at me and walked away. I ended up giving away some small flutes made by a friend of mine to the girls.
When I talked to her boss later just before the recital, I told her I felt like I was being asked to participate in discrimination against both my gender and my own tribal culture and I found it odd that a woman would be hired to teach something girls aren't allowed to learn. The boss said it would not happen that way ever again and to talk to her if the contract was offered to me again (she is a black lady who lived through the 60's and does not tolerate any discrimination) and I would have full control of teaching. My request was that I could teach the flute like an instrument and not as a means of segregating tribe from tribe and gender from gender. She (the Navajo) would divide the kids up into gender and tribe, where I would have divided them according to age and ability.
What disservice these attitudes bring to the teaching environment! If I had not already had teaching experience this would have a been a nightmare. As it was, it was NOT an enjoyable teaching experience.
Many things learned here. Never let a nonmusician tell you how to teach music. She said to me after the recital (just to illustrate how much she doesn't get music and learning an instrument) that she would be willing to give these flutes to the kids if they master ten songs. I don't know if she lets the kids practice (how else would they learn it) because I stepped away from the group. I was too taken aback at this idea and I knew it would do no good to correct her on this...it is the instrument one learns...the songs will follow. And the NAF is a personal, improvisational instrument (I emphasised that a lot with the kids, practice assignment included just PLAY)
I did a lot of research and found a lot of things on this subject. I suppose I ought to compile them but I leave you with a quote by, I think, Charles Littleleaf, "If Creator sees fit to give a woman the talent to play the flute, who am I to tell her she can't"
(open to correction in wording and who really made this quote, it might have been a friend of his)
I see the looks on people's face when I play...I have no doubt Creator gave me this gift. And any gift belongs rightly to the one who carries it, to decide what is the best thing to do with it.
One more thought, and I would put this to any who wants to continue believing they can keep their women down while getting their tribe to rise up from the ashes of their ancestor's trials...Music is powerful medicine. If you continue to deny that power to half your population, your people will remain at half power. I can't imagine, where the First Americans are concerned, what could make the US government any happier.
My path is opening up before my eyes, in ways that amaze me. If it wasn't right for me to walk it, this path would never have appeared. I have gotten some flack and no doubt I will get more. Music is for everyone, and this music is no exception. What I see in the eyes of my audience is worth far more than a dying imposed patriarchal narrowness that no longer has a place in our species' evolution. If you feel the urge to play, then playing is right for you.
play in love and love will light your way
(getting off my high horse now) Alisa
QUOTE(ziffy @ Apr 30 2009, 05:51 PM)
A Lakota Native told a friend of mine that it is not proper for women to 'play' the native american drum. Anyhone know any info reguarding this topic. thanks
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