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About
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Reviews
Book
Review: "Sharing the Gift of Lakota Song" by R.D. Theisz
By Serenity J. Banks
Lakota Journal Staff Writer
Teachers
and educators will soon be provided with a unique approach to integrating
Lakota culture into the classroom through the usage of a book written
by Dr. R.D. Theisz called "Sharing the Gift of Lakota Song."
This book, published this month by Dog Soldier Press, was written by
request from teachers in order to introduce American Indian music traditions
into the curriculum, but also serves as a useful tool for anyone who
is interested in learning about the music of the Lakota Nation.
It comes with an audio CD which contains a sound track for the songs
featured in the text, as well as recorded interviews with American Indian
singers who explain how they became involved with music and its role
in
Lakota culture.
"Sharing the Gift of Lakota Song" begins with an introduction
detailing the effort to include Lakota music as an addition to school
curriculums in order to enrich cultural knowledge. It explains the restrictions
teachers are faced with when attempting to incorporate this music into
the classroom. It also summarizes the basic characteristics of traditional
American Indian music.
Next, the book explores the nature of traditional music and stresses
the importance of studying this particular type of music "in context."
It includes commentary by well-known and respected Lakota singers such
as Calvin Jumping Bull, Severt Young Bear Sr., and Nellie Two Bears,
all of the Oglala Sioux, and Howard Bad Hand of the Rosebud Sioux.
These figures discuss the importance of music in Lakota culture and
describe their personal experiences through expression. Two Bulls tells
the story of a vision she had when she was a young girl that inspired
her to become a singer.
These testimonials provide contemporary insight into the essential nature
of music. As Bad Hand states, "Singers are so important because
we must have music."
The third chapter explains the different elements of Lakota music, delineating
between sacred and secular music and why only certain kinds of songs
are available for study and public performance. It stresses the importance
of respecting sacred Lakota songs and gives examples of songs that are
off-limits to the public.
It teaches the patterns of Lakota music through structure and renditions.
The role of separate singing groups and the central nature of the drumbeat
are described. Different categories of Lakota songs are listed and explained,
such as
songs consisting completely of vocables, songs consisting entirely of
Lakota words, and songs combining the two.
This chapter then goes into the performance aspects of Lakota music,
such as
the different roles of men and women during performance, methods of
drumming to guide the song and the dancers, and vocal methods and influences.
The book also includes helpful sections on the pronunciation of letters
in Lakota, definitions and pronunciations of Lakota musical terms, and
classroom considerations to focus on different learning aspects of the
music such as listening and appreciation, isolating music elements,
song performance, cultural contexts, and dance performance.
Finally, the book provides 12 Lakota songs such as Lakota Flag Song,
Honoring the Singer Song, and Love Song. These songs were selected because
they were determined appropriate for classroom study and performance.
Each song has its own introduction explaining its history English
translations are also provided.
Overall, I believe this book is a helpful resource for people who want
to begin to understand Lakota music. It's short-a little over 100 pages-and
contains a wide variety of photos showing Lakota singers and dancers
in different types of performances.
I think the focus of this book is more to instill in students an appreciation
for Lakota music, rather than detailed knowledge. It provides an introduction
to the world of American Indian song and dance, but by no means includes
everything you'll ever want to know.
The commentary by the featured performers was very insightful and intriguing,
and the photography offered an interesting look into different generations
of singers and dancers.
R.D. Theisz is an English and American Indian Studies professor at Black
Hills State University in Spearfish and has been a traditional singer
for forty years. He has received several awards in recognition of his
contributions to the field of Lakota music tradition.
"Sharing the Gift of Lakota Song" is available through the
publisher, Dog Soldier Press, as well as Amazon.com and Prairie Edge
Bookstore in Rapid City. Discounts are available for distributors, retailers,
and educational institutions.
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