I was searching for more examples of Navajo musical instruments and this Turtle Rattle came up. They really do use anything to create a shaker! I also found out that the turtle is a Native American symbol for long life that it is usually used by the medicine man. The rattle refers to the three kingdoms: the animal kingdom (the turtle shell), the mineral kingdom (the paint or rocks inside) and the plant kingdom (the wooden handle). Pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvYIjFtPQEk&feature=related
This is a video of Amazing Grace in Cherokee. It is kind of cheesy. However, it incorporates electronic sounds with a shaker and drum. This is an obvious example of syncretism. It is really beautiful in this language. They also incorporate western harmonies in the second verse and the pictures are really cool.
http://www.hoasogli.com/african/ewe.htm
This site is really great! It is about the traditional dances and drumming of Ghana. It also gives you ways to incorporate the lessons in your school system. There are wonderful pictures, definitions, and terms in Ghana. The picture at the top of the page is of the drums that we talked about in class with the Gankogui (double bell) and the Axatse (rattle).
The turtle rattle is really resourceful. I think it's neat how the N. Americans really value using things that come from nature to feel more at one with it. With the turtle rattle, they're covering several parts of nature at once.
ReplyDeleteOh~
ReplyDeleteI loved the Amazing Grace in Cherokee..
I think it's awesome when lots of traditional musical techniques are blended in with modern technology. People are trying to blend cultures and I think it's a way of expression.
It is hard to live in two cultures and still express both.
=D
I love the turtle shell shaker! The concept of "three kingdoms" is very neat--makes me think more about the makeup of my own oboe.
ReplyDeleteAnd good work on the "syncretism watch"--you never know what form it's going to take.