The Music & Artof the NW Coastal Indians
Group #10
Members & Tasks
Research ~ Kelly, Frank & Kelsi
Videos, Music & other Media ~ Maya
Map(s), Charts, etc. ~ Bailee & Kyle
Interactive Activity ~ Joseph
Scripted Narration ~ Holly & Amelia
Compilation of References ~ Angelo
PowerPoint Slide Compilation ~ Elizabeth
Northwest Coastal Indians
• Hundreds of tribes span Northwest Coastal areas
• From Alaska to Northern California
• 100,000 Native Americans live on the West Coast
History of Coastal Indians• Villages consisted of large rectangular homes, 30-40 people
per home• Large totem poles stood in front of the house showing the
head of household• Wore little clothing ~ basketry, hats (men) skirts, sleeveless
jackets and aprons (women)
Coastal Indian
Musical Traditions
• Vocalization and percussion the important tradition
• Drum most important instrument
• Diverse instruments versus any other tribes
Potlatch Traditions
Customs and respect for elders are highly honored
Gift giving festival to show a tribes worth
Hosting tribe celebrated and gave generously for days
Each tribe celebrates in different ways
Native American Singers
Moderately relaxed and open vocal styles that emphasize lower ranges
Variety of ornaments and special vocal techniques for expressive purposes
Scale range, 4-6 tones and half step intervals
Singers perform in blended unison
Musical Instruments• Instruments represent mythical beings• Instruments embellished to represent spirit of musician• Other instruments: whistles, rattles, flutes, horns and
percussions
Coastal IndianArt/Musical Examples
Video contains images of totems, jewelry and masks, along with tradition drum music
Native Americans known for basketry, woodcarving and weaving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3Wt7RO8BX4
Video contains Intuit tribe members performing traditional throat singing
Form of entertainment among females`
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IqOegVCNKI&feature=related
Ceremonies & Rituals
• Kwakiutl Ceremonial Dance
• Generational tradition
• Songs/dances considered private property to families to be passed down
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRT_6ZmcGR4
NW Coastal Word Search
Q Z X C V B N L P O T L A T C H E S K K J H G FW X H A I D A P O I U Y T R E W L K J H G F D DE C L G B N J H G F D S S A Q W E R T Y U I O SR V K R B M R S C H I L K A T R B L A N K E T AT B J U V L M D W J K E R T L T D G J O O R Q PY S A L M O N R N R H D F Y I G A A Z D F I W KU N H Q C K Y V K F V Y K U N B S D R U M K E WI M G W X J T G I V F H W U G V R X C V B F R AO L G O Z H S H L T R N A I I C Y E G N H D T KJ K F D S G I J L G E U K O T D Y N G Y C X Y II J T O T E M O E B D J W P K E U A G U O D U UB H D O S F S L R Y C S A L I S H P P P A F I TW G S D D D H M W H X P K W E R T Q M L S T O LE F A E F S I N H N S P A J T K I T B U T T L OG D P M G A A B A U W O ‘ U G S W E R T S M L IF S O E H Q N V L J Q I W F V M Y U I O A N K UD A I R J W P C E M A J A C B A P L K J L B J YS Q U T K E O S G W Z J K D H L H G F D I V H TA W Y Y L R I Q D T V R M P U L G F D S S C G RZ R A V E N I Q W E R T Y U I P A Z X C H X F EX E T U O R U K J H G F D L K O V G D O F Z D WC R T I P T Y T P I T R C G M X B N F X L A S QV B N M L K J H G F D S S A Q W E R T Y U I O PI N U I T T H R O A T S I N G I N G H J K L
Northwest Coast Art
Northwest Coast art includes several cultures
Each century, each culture developed its own artistic style, myth and ceremony
Belief was all living and natural thing had a soul and purpose
Respect was shown in their art
Guided by mythology
Totems poles are unique to Northwest Indians
Carved and painted masks represents spirits
Tribal clans closely related to animals
Performance Masks• Important part of all Native American ceremonies• Multiple types of masks ~ single face, mechanical mask
and transformation mask• Masks made in cooper shows signs of wealth
TotemPoles
• Each design varies from culture to culture
• Can symbolize tribe, clan, family or individual
• Recount family legends or special events
• Some figures represent negative reminders too
• Never the object of worship
Chilkat Blanket• Worn by a dancer during a Potlatch ceremony• Known as a “button blanket” due to pearl and shell buttons• Highly valued up and down the coast and traded
Coastal IndiansToday
Potlatches are openly celebrated in Canada
Native carvers are educating the public with totems
Traditions are being carried on with new totems, museums and honoring the deceased
Increased celebrations for important events and family histories
References
Adelphi University. Thunderbird American Indian Dancers. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://aupac.adelphi.edu/events/thunderbird-indians.php>.
American Indians - Northwest Bands. Kidzworld, n.d. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1387-american-indians-northwest-bands>.
American Museum Collection. Northwest Coast Chief's Ceremonial Wood Raven Rattle. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.anthroposgallery.com/gallery/ravenrattle.html>.
Blecha, Peter. Song-Catchers: Documenting the Music of Northwest Indians. HistoryLink, 22 Dec. 2005. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7565>.
Curtis, Edward. Kwakwaka’wakw Potlatch Dancers and Singers. Native AmericanEncyclopedia. Potlatch. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://nativeamericanencyclopedia.com/potlatch/>.
References
Glazner, Chris, Roxanne Solis, and Geoff Weinman. Drums and Songs. Oracle, Web. 5 May 2011. <http://library.thinkquest.org/3081/drum.htm>.
The Grand Father Style Flute. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.heartsongflutes.com/grand-father-style-flute.htm>.
Inuit throat-singing demonstration . Smithsonian Folkways, YouTube.com. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IqOegVCNKI&feature=related>.
Miller, Gay. "Northwestern Coastal Indians." Native Americans. 2001. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/index.htm>.
Native American Culture and Map. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.snowwowl.com/maps/mapnorthwest.html>
References
Native American music." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 05 May. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1350772/Native-American-music>.
Northwest Coast Indian." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 05 May. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/420049/Northwest-Coast-Indian
Quish, Na Na. Hand Painted Drums. Sa-Cinn Native Enterprises , Web. 5 May 2011. <http://www.sa-cinn.com/drums.htm>.
Stanley Park Totem Poles. Web. 5 May 2011. <http://blogs.glnd.k12.va.us/teachers/atolson/files/2008/11/stanley-park-totem-poles-vancouver-bc613.jpg>.
Wikipedia contributors. "Northwest Coast art." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 16 Apr. 2011. Web. 5 May. 2011. <http://mrsbarberchs.wikispaces.com/z6+Northwest+Coast>.
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