Friday, July 11, 2014
Module 3 - Northern Cree Singers - Facebook Drama
Title: Facebook Drama
Performers: The Northern Cree Singers
Culture or Origin: Northern Cree Native American (Canada) round dance
Orchestration: singers accompanied by hand drum
This recording is a round dance made by the Northern Cree Singers accompanied by a hand drum. A round dance is normally part of the intertribal powwow and is a social dance; however, for this particular nation, the round dance is independent of the powwow and functions as a social dance alone. The song is inclusive because even those who are not dressed in traditional dancing clothes are allowed to participate during particular parts of the dance as indicated by the master of ceremonies. The form of the song is a rondo, switching back and forth between the vocable section (lyrics with no translatable meaning) and the English words section, which is about a status on Facebook. The lyrics are included in the video. The beat is in a meter of 2 with an accent on the second beat. The dancers stand in a circle and move to the left. More people join the dance as each new group gets established, beginning with the lead male and female dancers who start the circle. I chose this piece because I am very interested in the incorporation of modern technology into traditions of native peoples. In this case, the lyrics about Facebook are almost funny to me because it seems to be making fun of traditional music. I kept thinking that it was something Mel Brooks would do. There is no indication that it is a mockery in any of the texts that I read about it, but I found myself, in the context of my culture, trying hard not to giggle because it seemed like a spoof.
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This song had me cracking up as I listened. It's got a traditional feel to it through the music. But the lyrics are contemporary and are current to modern society. The sound of the voices when they are not singing in English are full of drama that just adds to the feel of the piece! What a great find!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Melody!!! It is pretty funny - I'm just now reading about how indigenous people of this continent do make fun of themselves in a somewhat deprecatory manner - and enjoy doing so!!
ReplyDeleteThe traditional collides with the modern again in a most interesting way!
ReplyDeleteYou have found a great clash between traditional music and modern time. The reference to Facebook in the middle of this song is hilarious. The different sections of the song dose add interest. The returning A section can get a bit repetitious. Thanks for finding and sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteMelody,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful song! It is very much in the tradition of the "one-eyed Ford" songs. Natives often poked fun at themselves driving an old Ford with only one headlight (one-eyed). You might want to look up some of those songs, and compare with this one.
Modernization of tradition at it's best. There's no doubt listening to this that it carries a powerful weight of history behind the performance, but I, like many of the others who have commented, couldn't help but smile and giggle a bit at the lyrics, and even the way they would sing "DELETE." The fact that this might still be considered "authentic" even in its satirical nature is also a thought provoking concept.
ReplyDelete