From the Creator Spirit to Redbone: The History of Native American Music

- with passion, by Lester Moore (stage name)

Greetings, music lovers! Today we explore the music of Native Americans, especially the tribes of North America, whose melodies were deeply connected to nature and spirituality. One fascinating aspect of this tradition is its introspective character: instead of focusing on dramatic actions, these songs bring forward the inner thoughts and emotions of their characters, alongside natural elements such as plants and animals.

These musical “storytelling traditions” played a central role in Native communities. Songs were valued and categorized based on their ability to involve the entire community. If a melody could make an entire village dance together in harmony, it was considered truly special. There were even early forms of what we might call “copyright”: when a shaman composed a song, it was regarded as a divine gift. According to traditional beliefs, the Creator Spirit was the author of all music in the world, and shamans were entrusted with receiving and passing on these sacred gifts, often through dreams.

Songs could belong to a shaman, a family, or an entire community, and the right to perform them was passed down or “donated” with great care. Many melodies were considered sacred and could only be sung by those who had received permission to carry them forward.

Sacred Instruments and Sonic Symbols

Drums were among the most important instruments for most tribes, symbolizing the heartbeat of the Earth. They held ceremonial significance, were decorated with animals or traditional motifs, and were usually made from animal hide stretched over a wooden or bone frame.

Rattles were also widely used and are among the most common instruments found in archaeological sites. Some were fashioned from natural containers, while others were made using materials such as the rattles of snakes. Wooden or bone flutes were also common and were often decorated in ceremonial style. Rock paintings even show musical ceremonies that included tambourines.

Although instruments played an important role, the human voice was considered the primary instrument. Spanish explorers in the 18th century described ceremonies in which hundreds of people sang together in harmony. Typically, these songs took the form of a dialogue between a soloist and the community, using a call-and-response structure.

The Survival of Tradition and Its Modern Revival

In the 19th century, American authorities attempted to suppress Native traditions, including their music. Yet these traditions survived thanks to the resilience and perseverance of the communities. Over time, Native music intertwined with other genres, giving rise to new musical expressions.

Among the contemporary artists who have carried this heritage forward are:

• R. Carlos Nakai, the famed flutist of Navajo and Ute descent, a pioneer of the Native American flute in modern music;

• Robbie Robertson, a musician of Mohawk and Jewish heritage, who blended traditional influences with rock on his 1994 album Music for the Native Americans.

Today

Today, traditional Native American music is increasingly appreciated by artists and audiences alike. Even so, continued efforts are needed to fully recognize its cultural, historical, and artistic value.

Proposed Selection:

Redbone ‎– The Best Of Redbone

https://retrospace.ro/ro/funk-soul-rb-reggae-gospel/6323-redbone-the-best-of-redbone.html

Blackfoot – Highway Song Live

https://retrospace.ro/ro/rock-classical-rock/29492-blackfoot-highway-song-live.html

Buffy Sainte-Marie - Native North-American Child: An Odyssey

https://retrospace.ro/ro/folk-country-latin-world/43774-buffy-sainte-marie-native-north-american-child-an-odyssey.html

Johnny Cash – Ballads Of The American Indian / Their Thoughts And Feelings / The Battle Of Wounded Knee

https://retrospace.ro/ro/folk-country-latin-world/29669-johnny-cash-ballads-of-the-american-indian-their-thoughts-and-feelings-the-battle-of-wounded-knee.html 

Sources: 

https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-American-music

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/native-american-music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYVFAJiCwxk