12-16-2004, 01:09 PM
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#1 (permalink) |
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PauWau Coordinator
 
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Snake and Buffalo dance
One dance synonomous with the southern plains powwow is the Snake and Buffalo dance.
These dances have their own songs, sung in order. Lately, when these dances are called for, people sing them with verses left out or are sung out of order. What is the origin of these dances? What tribe(s) do the songs belong to? What tribes had these dances as a part of their culture?
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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe |
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12-16-2004, 03:20 PM
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#2 (permalink) |
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Sappling!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Just for clarity for everyone's sake, we assume your not referring to the songs that are sung to typically used to close out Gourd Exhibitions....right?
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12-16-2004, 03:34 PM
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PauWau Coordinator
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Quote:
Gee LSS, I never seen gourd dancers dance to a sssssssnake dance before?
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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe |
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12-16-2004, 04:27 PM
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shesaysshelikesmy Dougie!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Oklahoma
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1 2 3 buffalo
Quote:
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Dayum I make some keen DrumSticks!!!!!! 
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12-16-2004, 04:46 PM
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PauWau Coordinator
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Quote:
NDNt49: Oh I agree. But some of the songs in the buffalo dance have Ponca words in them. Hmmmmm? I am trying to find the origin of the snake dance. I just heard today that the Kiowa got the snake dance songs from the Tiwa speaking Pueblo people and that the end of the snake dance has mumbled up Tiwa words. Hmmmm? I have some knowledgable singers working out the details of the origin of the snake dance. I have no idea why the snake dance is immediately followed by the buffalo dance. I have heard two completely different explanations so far.
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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe |
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12-16-2004, 07:19 PM
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shesaysshelikesmy Dougie!
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Quote:
Whatcha think?
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Dayum I make some keen DrumSticks!!!!!!
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12-16-2004, 09:48 PM
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Sappling!
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Quote:
Yeah...these were the buffalo dances I was referring to.... ya know....that has always puzzled me....
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To get a true picture of your purpose in life, you only get the whole picture when you listen with your mind, your ears and your heart. This way The Creator has a direct connection with you and only you...no outside interference. When you follow the will of IT that created you, understanding that your purpose is not for you...but for IT and all that IT has created, there can be no wrong except failure to be obedient. Only then do we jeopardize the gifts we are given. Its not the final destination that defines us, rather the journey taken! |
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12-20-2004, 04:27 PM
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#8 (permalink) |
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Member since March 2000.
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I concur Whome. The dance DOES have a very PUEBLO sound and feel to it.
I believe some of the songs used in the Buffalo Dance portion have some similiarities to the 'White Horse Rider' songs of the Ponca. I think it's an old ladies organization among the Ponca. I've heard old recordings of Sylvester Warrrior go thru a whole series of these songs one after another, I think I counted 15. Then, I recall hearing them sung at an honor dance for a prominent Ponca back in the late 90's.....along with some Wolf Songs and Soldier Dance songs. I can hear the similarities in them when compared to Buffalo dance songs.
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12-20-2004, 05:19 PM
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PauWau Coordinator
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Quote:
Mr.Bo: Most plains Indians had some way of expressing thanks to honor to the buffalo. This occurred mostly in the form of song and dance. The Kiowa had a whole religious practice surrounding the buffalo. Only a few living tribal members still have practicing knowledge of this today. I spoke with a Kiowa elder and historian shortly before he passed away. This elder/historian was instrumental in providing information in the books "Kiowa Voices; Volumes I and II." He told me that the Kiowa never had a "war dance" until it was introduced to them by the Cheyenne. This adapted wardance was called the Ohoma dance because it's ceremonial beginnings originated with the Umonho'n (Omaha) tribe. He also said that the buffalo dance was the original war dance of the Kiowa. Hmmm? From a current Kiowa historian who is also a researcher, the snake dance is fairly new and not a part of Kiowa culture. It was adapted in an exchange with the Taos in the early 1900's. Hmmmmm? I never knew the Taos had a snake dance. Combined together they formed the modern snake and buffalo dance. One verse of the modern southern plains buffalo dance song is distinctly Ponca and contains Ponca words. LSS: To my knowledge only Kiowas sing ancient buffalo songs after the gourd dance is concluded. There are always four songs that are sung in order. One verse of this song is rarely heard, but is sung by both Jim and Jack Anquoe. Their father was a famous song composer. The powwow version of the snake and buffalo songs are not sung very often on the southern plains but, were frequently sung ten years ago. When the up-and-coming singers today are asked to lead these songs, not all the verses are sung, nor are they sung in proper order. This is sad.
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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe Last edited by WhoMe; 12-20-2004 at 05:48 PM. |
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12-20-2004, 09:37 PM
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shesaysshelikesmy Dougie!
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Quote:
Like Whome said Now that is Sad
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Dayum I make some keen DrumSticks!!!!!!
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01-02-2005, 02:41 AM
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#11 (permalink) |
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Tiny Tot Dancer
Join Date: Apr 2000
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I have heard from many sources that the snake dance of the SW OK tribes originated among the Pueblo people. The buffalo dance is traditionally sung to close it out. There is one buffalo dance that has words in the end of the song. When you hear most kiowas sing it, it is sung without the words. It is also a Ponca Whitehorse Rider song.
Regarding the order of these songs. Im not sure that there is a particular order that is mandated out of anything other than tradition. For instance, I have heard a couple other snake dance songs that arent sung in the normal 4-5 in todays snake dance. Its most likely because nobody or few people know them. |
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01-03-2005, 02:08 PM
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#12 (permalink) |
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~*Southernz Elite*~
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Yea you say it Brownhornet....
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:indian2: MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL, JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME IM FINE:muscles: " say what I feel, I say what I think, I say what you do not like, Yet for some reason what I say is somewhat correct" Chief Big Beef 1999 |
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