1.I have always loved stringed instruments and coming from a viola player, I love learning more about how the bow stringed instrument developed and came about. So I started researching more about the apache fiddle and how it was played and made. The apache fiddle was used by the Apache people of Southwestern America (a tribe of the Native Americans) . It's made with plants such as the mescal or agave plant and is usually made with every bit of the plant. People have their own style on how to piece it and put together. Just like violins today, it has horse hair, a bridge and nut. The rosin they would use to put on their bow came directly from a pinyon tree where they would get pine pitch and melt it. The wood they used came from several different kinds of trees but mainly they used a tree called "Davi". In order to change the pitch of the string they used the touch of their fingers to change it's note. It usually had one string but occasionally it had two strings. They played it upright like a violin except more in front of the chest. It's very interesting on how they made it as well as how they played it. The YouTube video explains much more, check it out!
2. Native American healing is a very intriguing thing. They have many different remedies and ways of healing such as ceremonial dances, prayer and music. In the ceremonies they involve the whole community in which they believe that the more people involved the more energy is produced for healing. The drum is a very important thing in Native American healing. It is used in shamanic work and in ceremonies and it used to alter consciousness in order to enter the spirit world. The drum is also used to form a diagnosis as it is beaten along the skeletal lines of the body in Native American dowsing. I find it very interesting how the medicine man listens to the vibration of the drum to form the diagnosis. It's resonance can help rebalance internal areas by stimulating the activity of organs. You can see in the video below around 36:00.
3. I have always loved horses and as coming from a horse rider, I enjoy learning more about different breeds of horses and how different cultures use them. The Native Americans were reintroduced to horses by the Spanish at the same time when Christopher Columbus came to the Americas in 1492. They rode different breeds of horses such as the American Paint Horse, Appaloosa, Nez Perce, Nokota, Spanish Mustang, and the American Indian Horse. The Native Americans preferred spotted coated (Appaloosa and American Paint Horse) horses because of their beautiful markings. The horses became a very important part in Native American lives. They were used in war, hunting, and transportation. The horses really changed their culture because before they had horses they used dogs, and they referred that time as the "Dog Days". I also have a link below to explain the different Native American horse breeds. Native American Horse Breeds
Hi Julia! So far in class we have talked about the drum and the significance it renders to the Native American way of life. It was nice to learn that the drum can perform a diagnosis as it is beaten along the skeletal lines of the body in Native American dowsing.
I find the Apache fiddle so fascinating! It's so cool to see how it is made from natural materials completely, yet it sounds exactly like a western violin would. I also love the bright colors painted on it, which makes it super characteristic of Native Americans!
The healing was also very cool to look into. Very interesting how the drum beat is used to diagnose those with illnesses. Music as a healing method seems to be very literal with Native Americans.
Wild horses are so beautiful, but domestication can be so useful for many people. I find it adorable how Native Americans preferred bright and spotted horses because they liked their aesthetic. Having that cultural connection with those breeds makes a lot of sense to me!
Hi Julia! So far in class we have talked about the drum and the significance it renders to the Native American way of life. It was nice to learn that the drum can perform a diagnosis as it is beaten along the skeletal lines of the body in Native American dowsing.
ReplyDeleteI find the Apache fiddle so fascinating! It's so cool to see how it is made from natural materials completely, yet it sounds exactly like a western violin would. I also love the bright colors painted on it, which makes it super characteristic of Native Americans!
ReplyDeleteThe healing was also very cool to look into. Very interesting how the drum beat is used to diagnose those with illnesses. Music as a healing method seems to be very literal with Native Americans.
Wild horses are so beautiful, but domestication can be so useful for many people. I find it adorable how Native Americans preferred bright and spotted horses because they liked their aesthetic. Having that cultural connection with those breeds makes a lot of sense to me!