Background and History
The Navajo peoples live in the Four Corners region of the United States, in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona (12). The Navajo were influenced by the Spanish during colonization, but kept most of their cultural traditions safe from change. Many of their traditional ceremonies and rituals still exist today, and music is one of those traditions.
Navajo songs are mainly made up of singing instead of being about the instruments (12). They use instruments for beats and background music, though, like the bullroarer, drum, flute, and whistle (13). These instruments are important to the sound of the music. Navajo music is also sung in the people’s native language, called Navajo or Diné (13).
There are different Navajo songs for different cultural purposes. Some songs are specifically for kids, some are used for sacred ceremonies, and some are for the public to see (12). Music has always been an important part of Navajo culture. It is seen as a way to heal tribe members and communicate with the Navajo gods. Navajo music was a big part of their lives before the arrival of Europeans, and today it still is. There are a lot of Navajo popular artists who still sing in Diné and perform many different kinds of music, like rock, hip hop, country, and everything in between (13).
Navajo songs are mainly made up of singing instead of being about the instruments (12). They use instruments for beats and background music, though, like the bullroarer, drum, flute, and whistle (13). These instruments are important to the sound of the music. Navajo music is also sung in the people’s native language, called Navajo or Diné (13).
There are different Navajo songs for different cultural purposes. Some songs are specifically for kids, some are used for sacred ceremonies, and some are for the public to see (12). Music has always been an important part of Navajo culture. It is seen as a way to heal tribe members and communicate with the Navajo gods. Navajo music was a big part of their lives before the arrival of Europeans, and today it still is. There are a lot of Navajo popular artists who still sing in Diné and perform many different kinds of music, like rock, hip hop, country, and everything in between (13).
The Bullroarer
The bullroarer is not unique to Navajo music, but it is an important part of their musical history (13). The bullroarer is carved from wood and tied to a rope. Then, it is swung in circles to make a deep noise (14). Play the video to watch a demonstration of how the bullroarer works. There is also a small version of a bullroarer in the center of the room—you can swing it to see what kind of noise it makes in real life.
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Children's Songs
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The Navajo also have a lot of songs written specifically for children. There are lullabies for babies, songs to teach elementary school kids the Navajo language, and songs for parents to sing to their children (12). Children’s songs are most often about animals (12). These are meant as ways to make sure Navajo children are learning their language and traditions early in life. You can play two Navajo children’s songs at this station! One is about puppies and the other is a lullaby about animal noises.
Popular Music
Today, Navajo musicians play popular music a lot. Artists rap, play the guitar, and sing in a mix of English and Diné (13). These popular musicians help to keep Navajo tradition alive and growing. There are many Navajo bands, like Tribe II Entertainment, The Plateros, Mother Earth Blues Band, Chucki Begay, and Aces Wild who write songs about Navajo everyday life and issues (12). Tribe II Entertainment is made up of two rappers and The Plateros are a rock band. Click here to listen to part of their songs.
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Traditional Music
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Navajos today also still use traditional music in ceremonies. Some ceremonial songs are used for healing. When the tribe sings, the Navajo believe, the sick person is healed by the music (12). Healing ceremonies are a very old Navajo tradition. There are also two different types of ceremonies: public and sacred. Sacred ceremonies are only for Navajo tribe members, and they preserve Navajo religion and prosperity (12). Public ceremonies are open for anyone to watch and participate in, and are the ones shared with visitors to the Navajo reservation (12). You can watch one of these public dances and listen to a traditional Navajo chant here!
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References
12. “Navajo.” Crystalinks. N.p., 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. 13. “Navajo Song and Dance.” Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. 14. Jay, Jungle. Bullroarer in Action. N.p., 2013. Film. |
Other Photos and Videos: Retrieved from
Drum Photo: 11346177_1m.jpg (JPEG Image, 250 × 250 Pixels) - Scaled (0%). N.p. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. http://www.icollector.com/Navajo-Drum_i11346177 Flute Photo: Out-of-Stock-navflut1-Hand-Carved-Navajo-Musical-Instrument-Cedar-Wood-Flute-4.gif (JPEG Image, 432 × 821 Pixels) - Scaled (0%). N.p. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. http://americanindianoriginals.com/navajoart-store.html Bullroarer Photo: Barry, Buffalo. Old+Navajo+Bullroarer+1.JPG (JPEG Image, 180 × 240 Pixels) - Scaled (0%). N.p., 2014. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. http://buffalobarry.com/artwork/old-navajo-bullroarer-1/ Rattle: Meiklejohn-Free, Barbara. Navajo-Rattle-Traditional-Pattern-Design-300x300.jpg (JPEG Image, 300 × 300 Pixels) - Scaled (0%). N.p. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. http://www.barbarameiklejohnfree.com/product/navajo-rattle-traditional-pattern-design/ Puppy Video: Navajo Puppy Song (Lyrics & Translation). N.p., 2009. Film. Traditional Dance: Navajo Song and Dance. N.p., 2009. Film. Animal Lullaby: Pauline M. Begay (Navajo Lullabies and Children Songs) "Shi. N.p., 2013. Film. The Plateros: The Plateros “Forever I’m With You” Featuring Levi Platero - In HD. N.p., 2009. Film. Chant Video: Tony Redhouse Traditonal Navajo Chant. N.p., 2008. Film. Tribe 2 Rap: Tribe 2 Entertainment. N.p., 2009. Film. |