LSS

I have question on getting a drum started singing Gourd Dance...

I am by no means a member of a Gourd Dance Society or am I from Oklahoma. However, I have been introduced to the Gourd Dance Ceremony and have sang during a Gourd Dance Ceremony on several occassions.

It has come to me that several young men are interested in singing and while they have an interest in singing southern (and the fact that southern is the only thing I do now) I felt like it was appropriate for them to learn about the Gourd Dance Ceremony as well. I mean, I feel like if anyone is gonna sing Southern they need to learn about the history, origin and all the things that go along with they Oklahoma Native style of singing.

So, I guess my question is this....

Do a Lead (Head) Singer/Group have to have permission from a Gourd Dance Society in order to learn/sing Gourd Dance?

Also, what are some other thoughts on getting a young drum group started with singing? I have posted the same in the Gourd Dance section.

LSS

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sagebark2004

yes it is to a point gourd dance singing is fine without knowing the meaning behind it. but i give you respect beacause not to many men like yourself try to help others on where things come from maybe it's not you place you should take the to a southern elder to teach them that's the way they learned so about the starting a drum group i need to speak to u in pritive so email me at sagebark2004@yahoo.com

SBZ4life

Drum groups....hmm...Whatever happened to the center drum and one head singer? Sometimes the best way and the only way I know is to learn these songs from the center drum, sure you can learn from tapes with gourd dance songs, BUT they dont tell you things you need to know. Gourd dance singing isnt just singing any gourd dance song that comes to your mind, There are certain songs that are sung at certain times of the gourd dance. of course slow songs at first and then as you go along, faster songs. Plus, you need to know familiy songs, some families dont want their song sung unless asked for. And the meaning of certain songs. And dont be one of those guys that sings the supper song any ol time.........Ima stop there....


ps,,,about the young drum group gettin started...start at the center drum, then move on out, not everyone has to have/be in a drum group.

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WhoMe

LSS:

Have you been to Oklahoma?

Where you're at, the gourd dance is probably just a gourd dance . . . minus the ceremony. These are two separate things.

Go down to Oklahoma and attend the Kiowa Gourd Clan Ceremony on the Fourth of July. I think you witnessing this first hand, will answer all of your questions. They take thing pretty seriously down there . . .

bqueton

I didn't know there was a "Supper Song". Is it that a song from Winnie the Pooh :

"Yummy Yummy Yummy
Theres a Rumble in my Tummy"

That's like saying "Charlie Brown" is the quitting song.