Digging Deeper

When it came to the Native American section, I found it very intriguing on their dances. One thing I wanted to look further into is how many different dances they have, and the origin on the dances. With the Grass Dance first, and it is the oldest traditional dance that the Native Americans do. This dance was to flatten the grass in the arena before other celebrations. It was considered a man’s dance, but there has been woman to perform it as well. If there were woman performers, they worn men regalia though. When it came to the Native American section, I found it very intriguing on their dances. One thing I wanted to look further into is how many different dances they have, and the origin on the dances. With the Grass Dance first, and it is the oldest traditional dance that the Native Americans do. This dance was to flatten the grass in the arena before other celebrations. It was considered a man’s dance, but there has been woman to perform it as well. If there were woman performers, they worn men regalia though. The Grass Dance legend is about a little boy who was handicapped who wanted to dance. He went to the medicine man seeking for help. The medicine man informed him to find inspiration on the prairie. So, the young boy set out to the prairie on his own and imagined himself dancing like the grass. Once he came back, he shared his vision, and he eventually was able to use his legs to perform the first grass dance. However, in the modern day they continue this tradition to honor their ancestors and gain spiritual strength from mother earth. The dancers move in fluid and bending positions to the music, replicating the movement of the grass in the wind. 

Video of the Grass Dance:

*Grass Dance during a Powwow

Resources:

*Native American Dance Tradition

*Origins of the Grass Dance

The next topic that we went over was the Andean. I found it super interesting was the instrument called charango. I liked how it is made from armadillos, and I wanted to learn more on how they make them from the armadillos. They aren't made with armadillo shells anymore. They were made with shells during the 1700's. The wood during this time frame was rarer than armadillos crawling around. It is more usual than people think of later centuries using bones and shells from other resources. Now, the armadillos are greatly endangered, so charangos are no longer made from armadillo shells. Now, they are made out of woods either cedar or chestnut wood with engravings resemblance of the armadillo shell. 

Video of charango being played:

*Charango Guitar

Resources:

*Charango/ Andean Nation

*Armadillo Guitar

Lastly, our newly topic we've gone over is Africa. The biggest thing I wanted to learn more on that stuck out to me the most had to be Sona Jobarteh. She was the first female kora player. Which, the kora is a harp like instrument that is used in West Africa. I wanted to learn more on her academy to inform those in the community of their culture. The Gambia Academy was completely funded by Sona herself. She uses her money from her albums and tours to fund the academy. She wanted to build this school since the education system in Africa is heavy influenced from the European ex-colonial.  

Video:

*Sona Jobarteh Gambia Academy

Resources:

*The Gambia Academy