Transcript PowerPoint Presentation - Navajo Music Presentation

Navajo Music in the
Classroom
by Roy E. Howard
Western New Mexico University
Navajo Language Policy
The Navajo Tribal Council approved an
Education Policy that requires
instruction in the Navajo language and
culture at all grade levels for all Navajo
students (Navajo Tribal Education
Policies, 1984).
In 1995 the Navajo Division of Education
surveyed 137 schools with Navajo
students.
Commitment Lacking
Many schools are not prepared to fully
implement this policy by
- establishing a curriculum,
- acquiring materials,
- or funding the training of teachers.
Most students not taking
language courses
Lack of Initiative
Many teachers in such
schools seem to be
waiting for the schools
to require and fund
bilingual education
before they make a
commitment to
teaching Navajo
language and culture.
Teacher Initiative
However, some teachers
are teaching Navajo
language and culture
on their own initiative
without regard to the
lack of local funding or
an aggressive policy
(Howard, R. E. (1985). Teaching Navajo
language and culture at Dzilth Na 0 Dith
Hle Community School. ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No. ED 283 654)
Music
One of the ways this teacher initiative is
evident is through Navajo music in the
classroom.
sin
song
s••¬
with songs
••¬ naalnish
he sings as he works
n’dish’a to go about singing
dahodíítaa¬
let’s sing
dinéjí dahodíítaa¬
let’s sing in Navajo
Motivation for Language
Thoughts on Classroom Music
Most traditional Navajo songs are by and for
adults. Few songs are made specifically for
children.
Other tribes, such as the Hopi and Pueblo
who always lived in villages where children
played together have more children’s songs.
The Navajo way of life with individual homes
spread far apart precluded children’s songs
from being developed or passed on.
Non-ceremonial
Many Navajo songs that are not ceremonial
are used to accompany work, such as the
corn grinding songs, or are sung by a
group while riding, or are used with
games and dances or in gambling.
Non-ceremonial
Many songs that are now used for
entertainment were derived from
ceremonies or sacred traditions.
It is a curiosity or an irritation to some
traditional Navajos that non-Navajos
would want to know anything about
these, let alone learn how to sing them.
School Songs
Most schools and teachers do not teach
songs in Navajo or traditional dance
styles to children.
Since some do, it is clear that there is a way
that it can be done within the constraints
of tradition.
School Goals
Since music in traditional styles and
languages can contribute to the goal to
preserve language and culture, and
promotes language development and
school success, it is a worthy goal to teach
more teachers the songs and dances.
Let us work together to identify and teach
that which is appropriate for the schools.
Continuum of Navajo
Music for Schools
If some songs, such as ceremonial songs,
are not appropriate for the schools, how
can a teacher decide what range of song
types can be used? The continuum is a
range placing historical ceremonial songs
such as the Yeii Bicheii on the left, and
Navajo translations from church hymn
books on the right.
New Creations
Indian musicians are doing today what they
have always done, integrating available
materials, topics, and technologies into
their creative work. It may be
appropriate for students and teachers to
follow their example and use
combinations of traditions in new
creative works.
Traditions
However, historical and traditional
melodies with traditional or new words in
Navajo may be more appropriate to teach
Navajo language and culture
than Euro-tradition nursery rhymes
translated into Navajo, because the style
of instruments and singing carry the deep
structure of the culture.
The Continuum
The purpose of the continuum is to assist
teachers in making decisions about music
based upon the potential outcome of the
musical experience.
Traditional
Transitional
Progressive
Translations
Referent
TRADITIONAL
Ceremonial
Civic
Social, Enemy Way
Traditional Work Song
Traditional Melody and
text for children,
seasonal
Nonseasonal
• Ceremonial
In the Navajo language,
the word for “singer” is
“Hatáá¬ii”, which also
is the medicine man, or
professional singer.
His songs are restricted
to trained people,
specific purposes, and
seasons.
• Civic
Many events that
include music are for
specific community
purposes, such as
honoring veterans or
installing elected
officials
• Social, Enemy Way
Purely social events are
common.
Participants may be
invited from the local
chapter, the entire
region
or even from multiple
tribes, and include
professional dancers.
• Traditional Work, Riding,
Gambling Songs
Many seasonal songs
for general use are for
specific activities
sung by those
participating in the
activities.
Children’s Songs
Some traditional
children’s songs are
specific to seasons.
Winter ends as soon as
the first thunder,
whenever that may be.
• Traditional melody and
text for children, nonseasonal
Some traditional
children’s songs are
NOT specific to
seasons.
Songs for fun or
learning may be sung
anytime.
TRANSITIONAL
New text
New melody and text
Code-switching
non-Indian melody,
new text or translated
text
Contemporary styles
with Navajo language
• Transitional: Children’s
Traditional melody
with new text
for children.
• Transitional - Children’s
Traditional style of
singing and
accompaniment
with a new melody
and a new text.
• Traditional style with
code-switching
Traditional style songs
with new melodies and
text
often with codeswitching
such as the “Fortyniner” (romantic) songs
and the Pan-Indian
“Peyote” songs
• Traditional version of nonIndian melody with new text
Non-Indian melodies
adapted to a traditional
Indian style
with new text
• Traditional version of
non-Indian melody,
translated text
This category describes
non-Indian songs that
are
sung in traditional
Indian styles
but have a text that is a
translated version of
the original song.
• Contemporary with
Navajo Language
This category includes
songs of country, rock
and other
contemporary styles
that are
sung in Navajo
language.
PROGRESSIVE
Contemporary Indian
in English
Indian styles integrated
with non-traditional
instruments
Minimum Indian styles
in pop music
• Contemporary Indian in
English
Many, perhaps most,
Indian performers and
recording artists
sing contemporary
rock, country, etc. in
English
• Indian styles fused with
non-traditional instruments
Many artists include
electric guitars and
other non-traditional
instruments,
yet integrate Indian
languages, vocables,
chants, rhythms,
or other features of
traditional music.
• Minimum Indian styles in
pop music
Some pop Indian
musicians will
only hint at Indian
traditions,
in otherwise very
mainstream music.
TRANSLATIONS
Non-Indian music
translated into Indian
language.
• Non-Indian music
translated into Indian
language
This category is for
non-Indian music that
is translated into
Navajo.
This is commonly done
in church music.
REFERENT
Indian themes in
non-Indian music,
whether text,
instrument, vocable, or
style
• Indian themes in nonIndian music
Classical
composers and
pop musicians of
any category
have used Indian
themes
since the first
encounter with
Europeans here.
Haskell Indian
Institute, 1920s
SUMMARY
•Teachers must use judgement in selecting
Indian music for the classroom
•It is to the benefit of the students to sing in
local languages
•Singing in local languages helps comply with
school policy
•More traditional styles, used appropriately,
carry the deep structure of the culture
Additional Research
•Survey each school
•Interview each singing teacher
•Collect song sheets, tapes, etc.
•Sample community concerns
•Prepare good quality versions of
appropriate music
•Disseminate to teachers, train them.
Ahéhee’
Dinéjí Dahodíítaa¬
!
Let’s sing in Navajo!
http://education.nmsu.edu/nmabe/index.html
Contact Dr. Roy E. Howard, [email protected]