 |
| Man Singing a Power Song by Dave Seymour |
Most dances and songs focused on natural themes. Animal gestures and movements were accompanied by the use of hand drums and sometimes rattles. Some dances were like a theatrical display where each person involved had their own actions to make the dance come alive.
|
Dancing Through the Seasons: Most Secwepemc dances were performed only in winter, but some could be done in any season. Religious dances were performed to help the souls of those who had died return to the earth. Certain songs received from the spirit land would be sung. Often a dance had a song of its own. For some dances, people wore traditional outfits and jewellery, cedar bark sashes and headbands with long trailers. Face and body paint was used, too. This was made with clay and ochre from special soils found in parts of Secwepemc Territory. Deerskin
drums were played to accompany dancers and singers. |
Dancers often would imitate the subject of the song being sung and would dress or decorate their bodies to suit the song. For example, in the berry picking dance the women danced with baskets and some were said to have carried berry branches. They would imitate the gathering of berries reaching high to gather berries, ducking low to get berries closer to the ground, making intricate movements from hand to basket to imitate picking berries.
Usually the hand drummer was an elderly man who knew the chant and Secwepemc words to accompany each song. Because each song was like a story or a time to give thanks, there was no loud, long hollering or screaming. At the end of songs the singer might give a whoop or have a particular way to end each song. People watching might give a word of encouragement such as, "Aye-Aye." This not only gave praise to the singers and dancers, but let everyone know you were paying attention to what was taking place.
Some songs that were given to individuals in their training were considered personal power songs. These songs were only shared by the person when he or she felt it was appropriate to sing the song. Sometimes people were given permission to sing another person's song. The singer must inform the audience where the song came from, how the song came to be, and who the song belonged to. This was a means of recognizing and honouring the owner and history behind the song.
Another song that took place was at the end of a gathering when people were on their way back to their areas. The host group of the territory would sing a farewell song. This song would give praise to the people who visited, give encouragement, and would recognize where they had to travel and to have a safe journey to their homeland. Songs and dances of the Secwepemc helps keep the rich history and culture alive.
|
|
