Native American Culture Essay

The intrinsic American culture is diverse in distinct aspects such as music, springs, performances and even arts. They have a variety of musical instruments and leap styles. Each leaping is performed during contrasting occasions or activities. The native Americans had diametrical attires which were worn during antithetic ceremonies such as religious functions, rituals and community gatherings (Leco conservation of parity 9). An example of the native ceremonies is the powwow. This is a gathering which is mainly composed of diametric Indian tribes. It involves different activities such as dancing competitions, narrating stories and some former(a) contests.These atomic number 18 activities which usually take place over the weekend in different argonas and e actuallyone is invited to attend this function (Leco Para 10). There are different types of dances such as jingle dance, war dances and other communal dances. The jingle dance is mostly a contest for women and the danci ng attire is decorated with metallic-looking material. Other dances admit scarf dance which is performed in a raspberry like manner. The dress for this type of dance is painted and surrounded with string of beads (Leco Para15). There are different war dances which are mainly performed by the men.These include fancy dance and grass dance. The attires are decorated in different change of beads, furs and feathers. The other mixed bag of dance is the Kiowa gourd dance which is performed basically for the purpose of remembering great elders and warriors from different tribes. The Kiowa dance is for everyone including the spectators. This pattern of dance brings people together and it serves to enhance peace and unity. most of the inborn American music involves dancing, chanting and different styles of dancing (Leco, Para 18). aborigine American crimpThe native Australian American flute was a wooden type of flute. It has a whistle like mouth piece and was an in-chief(postnomin al) instrument in most occasions and ceremonies. The style it was curved is very different compared to the flutes found in Asia, Europe and Africa. The different types of flutes were made from different materials such as cedar, sweet grass and river cane. These flutes include black cursor flutes and Turtle Island flutes. The flutes were carried in bags made from deer skin (Native Languages of the Americans, Para 7). Flute bag reservoir Native Languages of the Americans websiteNative American Drums The Native Americans had different types of thrums such as Hoops drums, Shamanic drums, Foot drums, Powwow drums, tom Tom drums and water drums. The hoop drums were used in different amiables of rituals and other ceremonies. They transmute in diameter and are held in the hands. They produce different kinds of tunes depending on the diameters. Those that are big produce a deep voice compared to the small ones. These drums are normally made up of different kinds of materials such as s kin and hides. They are painted in patterns development different colors (Godbole, Para 3).Shamanic drums are mostly used as tools used to affiliate with spirits. This practice is know as shamanism and it is a certain kind of ritual. There are different tribes that practiced shamanism such as Lakota tribe which is found in the North America. It helps in connecting these people to a completely different world when they are in a considerably state of mind. These drums are used during a number of performances and rituals (Godbole, Para 4). Shamanic drum informant Native Languages of the Americans website The powwow drum is a special kind of drum used for a specific type of ritual cognise as the powwow.The powwow is a well known event among the Native Americans. This event involves a concourse of people who are involved in drumming. It is a drum which is bigger in size and requires a group of people to play it (usually 8 men) (Godbole Para 5). Powwow Drum Source Native Languages o f the Americans website The foot drum was used by tribes such as Hopi, Aztec, Miwok and Maidu. Its a unique type of drum among the Native Americans in that it is played using the foot. They were made from hollow logs of wood which were struck using poles and this was followed by resonance from these drums.The Tom Tom drums were small drums which were easily held by the hands. They are longer and narrower in design. Contrary to other types of drums, the hands are used to play the Tom Tom drums (Godbole Para 6). On the other hand, water drums are made of wood and filled with water. The water drums go by in two different types namely Iroqusi and Yaqui. There are other types of drums such as Tarahumara, apache drums and Lakota. These are, however, less popular than those mentioned above. Every music in the Native American culture had to be accompanied with a drum.This is callable to the fact that the people believed that this was the only way to reach the spirits thereof the only way to communicate with the gods (Godbole, Para 7). Water drum Source Native Languages of the Americans website Tribes and Traditions The Native Americans consisted of different tribes each with unique types of traditions and cultures. Some of these tribes include Sarasi, Ute, Kiowa, Hidutsa among others. Each tribe had its own form of rituals and activities. They were involved in several(prenominal) ceremonies most of which were religious gatherings and rituals.An example of such ceremonies is the Sun dance which was accompanied by large groups of people. Sacrifices were made during this ceremony to ensure that peace prevails in the community. This ceremony was carried out by a priest who was well known in the community. The Native Americans had different kinds of traditions such as healing traditions (Desy Para. 4). Most of the modern forms of healing have their roots in the Native American culture. Every tribe had its own elder who was a healer. In humanitarian to being herbalists , these elders were also designated the duty of connecting the people with the spirits.The tribes believed in dreams which were translated so as to know the meaning. The people had a unique way of ending quarrels by using the Talking Sticks These were passed from one person to the next during meetings. It was a way of showing respect to others. Other traditions include cleansing rituals and the use of animals as guides. The latter implies that when an animal was seen either in real life or in a dream, it was believed that they were a form of guides from the gods (Desy Para. 6).Works Cited Desy, Phylameana L. Native American Healing Traditions, Tools and Healing Practices, 2010. Retrieved on May 14, 2010 from http//healing. about. com/od/tools/a/nativetools. htm Godbole, Medha. Native American Drum Music, 2010. Retrieved on May 14, 2010 from http//www. buzzle. com/articles/native-american-drum-music. html Leco, Mike. Native American Indian Culture, 2010. Retrieved on May 14, 2010 fro m http//www. usatourist. com/english/inside/indians2. html Native Languages of the Americans. Native America Indian Flutes, 2007. Retrieved on May 14, 2010 from http//www. native-languages. org/flutes. htm