BeadMan

By any chance, does anyone know where I might be able to find a recording of the Ho-chunk Snake Dance song? I'll take anything from a professional recording to a boot-legged 8 track.

LSS

Just by chance, you may want to check with Kevin Terant (sp?)...he's the Lead Singer of Silver Cloud. From what I understand, he is Ho-Chunk...or what I was taught Winnebego.

Another resource for you may be any of the member from the Wisconsin Dells...or any of their children.

I'm not so sure that I've heard the Snake Dance of the Winnebego. I'm not sure how different, if at all, it is from the
Snake Dance of the "Snake & Buffalo" that is typically sang after Gourd Dance.

Maybe guys like Mr. Ruminator, Historian or Wah-zha-zhe (sp?) can offer more assistance here.


LSS

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suthernwaterbird

I thought Snake/Buffalo Dances were Pueblo..

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Iowa_Boy

I've got the Meskwaki version somewhere, does it have to be Ho-Chunk?

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BeadMan

I've never seen the mesquakie snake dance, but I would be interested in hearing the song or seeing the dance. The Ho-chunk version is very different from the So Plains version. I grew up in Okla but lived in Iowa the past 2 years and powwow'd in Wisc. The first time I saw it I was quite impressed. No offence to the Okies but the Ho-chunk version is more fun, LOL.

Iowa Boy, PM me and we can make a deal for a copy of the recording if you would like.

Kiwehnzii

Although some other nations might sing the snake dance songs occasionally, it is with the approval of a Ho Chunk nation member. Usually, (almost always), the dance is led by a Ho Chunk man. It is he who would give approval to any singers to sing the songs. So.......... if anyone is thinking of learning the songs and dancing to the songs, keep that in mind.
And, yes, I learned this from a very, well respected Ho Chunk dancer.

Just a thought to share.

Iowa_Boy

Yes, they have them too. Outside of the Plains people proper, the Prairie/Woodland people also have additional non-powwow dances. The Meskwaki hold two large powwows, the proclamation day powwow in July and the annual powwow in August. The annual powwow is not a powwow, but an exhibition of the tribal dances as well as powwow styles. The Meskwaki do many of these including the Snake Dance, Harvest or Bean Dance, Shawnee Dance, Swan Dance, Buffalo Head Dance, Bear Claw Dance, Pipe Dance, Meskwaki Dance, and Shield Dance.

Other Prairie tribes have some of these and others, and some still do them.

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Kiwehnzii

Menominee people have a snake dance quite similar to the Ho Chunk.

Perhaps they share the songs?

Iowa_Boy

That's a Ho-Chunk perspective. Other nations say the exact same thing and their songs are in their languages and they have their own traditional understandings of the dance. Its not a Ho-chunk thing, its a woodland thing.

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Czechy

I lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin for a long time and danced a lot around there. I miss the Snake dances, they were tons of fun! I also enjoy the Hochunk Swan dance although I think I've only seen it twice.

I have a really old cassette which has some Hochunk songs on it including a Buffalo Feast Song but sorry, no Snake Dance songs.

A couple of other Hochunk drums to possibly ask might be the Winnebago Sons or the Wisconsin Dells Singers.

ndldy68

give me you email address and I will have someone in contact with you...BeadMan or just pm me...

UrbanNdn79

What bout my bros Bear Heart...Betta Rep!!!

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