This little book took its rise in the following experience thatcame to me many years ago when living with the Indians in theirhomes and pursuing my ethnological studies:
One day I suddenly realized with a rude shock that, unlike myIndian friends, I was an alien, a stranger in my native land; itsfauna and flora had no fond, familiar place amid my mental imagery,nor did any thoughts of human aspiration or love give to its hillsand valleys the charm of personal companionship. I was alone, evenin my loneliness.
Time went on. The outward aspect of nature remained the same,but imperceptibly a change had been wrought in me until I no longerfelt alone in a strange, silent country. I had learned to hear theechoes of a time when every living thing upon this land and eventhe varied overshadowing skies had its voice, a voice that wasattentively heard and devoutly heeded by the ancient people ofAmerica. Henceforth, to me the plants, the trees, the clouds andall things had become vocal with human hopes, fears andsupplications.
When I realized how much closer because of this change I hadbeen drawn to our land, how much greater had become my enjoyment ofnature, the desire arose to find some way by which I could help tomake audible to others the voice I had heard, and thereby restoreto our hills and valleys their lost human element. Impelled by thispurpose I have arranged these dances and games with native songs inorder that our young people may recognize, enjoy and share in thespirit of the olden life upon this continent.
My obligations are due to Mr. Francis La Flesche of the U. S.Bureau of American Ethnology and to Mr. Edwin S. Tracy, MusicalDirector of the Morris High School of New York City, for assistancein the preparation of this book.
ALICE C. FLETCHER
PrefaceIntroductionSong and Dance Among the Indians
PART IDANCES AND SONGS
The Life of the Corn (a Drama in Five Dances) Introduction Dance I. The Corn Speaks Dance II. Planting the Corn Dance III. The Corn Springs Up Dance IV. The Fields are Ready Dance V. Honor to Mother Corn Calling the Flowers Appeal for Clear Sky The Hé-de Wa-chi (An Omaha Festival of Joy)
PART IIGAMES
Introduction
HAZARD GAMES Introductory Note Pa-tol Stick Plum Stone
GUESSING GAMES Introd...BU KİTABI OKUMAK İÇİN ÜYE OLUN VEYA GİRİŞ YAPIN!
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