social dancing, and cultural awareness.Heritage week at the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk School happens the last week in May.
During this time many events are scheduled. Some of these events include the Tom Longboat/Billy Mills long distance run; Lacrosse games at all grade levels, in school social dancing, and cultural awareness.
The North American Indian Traveling College came into our school to discuss various cultural aspects to our students. They tell stories and legends, teach students about herbal medicines that heal, and the making of the turtle rattle, which is used in Longhouse ceremonies. They discussed the significance of our wampum belts, and Kasto'was, which are ceremonial hats worn by chiefs and faith keepers of our longhouse.
They also explain about proper behaviour of children and their parents during our social dances. Children are to be seated with the parents. Parents teach their children to become observant, respectful, and quiet. A speaker stands to announce the song and the persons singing the song. A social dance is a casual gathering when people can visit with one another in a quiet fashion. Socials are meant to be relaxing, fun and soothing. It also gives our Creator great pleasure in seeing his people enjoying themselves.
Here are some of the instruments used in our socials as well as longhouse ceremonies.
The Creator has given messages to our people over the years. One important message was, "Don't ever use or consume anything that alters or changes Teka'kihonhrhate:nie's, the natural state of mind". We generally refer to the words "Mind Changers" to describe any and all alcoholic beverages or narcotics (drugs). In our sacred teachings we are told what the Creator expects of us. It is well known here in Ahkwesahsne that the sacred water drum can never be exposed to people under the influence of "Mind Changers". If we, the people wish to be true Onkwehon:we' then we will never allow ourselves to use any of the "Mind Changers". Alcohol and Drugs are in no way a part of our great heritage, traditions and beliefs.
The water drum is a gift from the Creator. Our Creator intended that the water drum give the people joy and entertainment. Our Creator also intended the water drum to be used for giving thanks to all living things. The beat of the drum is the symbol of the heartbeat of all human beings as well as all other living things. In a sense, the drum also represents the world we live in. The drum is made from a tree and therefore represents the life and spirit of the trees of all the forests. The drum is round; a circle which represents all the teachings the Creator gave to us as a people. As long as we follow the Creator's teachings, human beings will have an everlasting life. A true circle, it has no beginning and no end.
The covering of the water drum is leather from the animal world. Thus the drum possesses the spirit of all the animals of the world. The water drum has to be given water in order to function properly. Thus the spirit of the waters of the world are within it too. It is also said that the different grains or markings of the water drum possess the spirits of all the life-forms in the universe. It is for these reasons that when the water drum is used there must be an Opening and Closing Thanksgiving Address (Prayer). Some of our elders have said it is important to give greetings to the spirit or spirits of the water drum before you touch or play it.
The regular horn rattle is used to complement the water drum. There is a modern evolution of the rattles used today. The first rattles were made from hickory tree bark. This bark was cut in a rectangular pattern with the two ends tapered. Small stone pebbles were inserted into the bark casing of the bark to make a noise. In the early years the buffalo horns were cut into approximately two inch sections and capped on both ends with inlaid wood carvings. A handle was carved and tightly inserted into the wood cappings. Corn and stone pebbles were put into the horn to cause the horn container to rattle. Later in history and up to this present day, the buffalo horn was replace by the present day cow horn. Rattle makers now prefer pellets or small BB's taken from a shot gun shell to pebbles. Their sound is louder, clearer and more consistent. Thes horn rattles are used for both social and ceremonial songs.
The flute is a wind instrument that is grenerally made from the sumac tree. In the days of long ago our ancestors used this instrument very often. The flute was also used in some medicine societies. Today, there are not many of our people who use the flute, though we do have some who can play it. It is only played by those individuals who are interested in the instrument. The flute is no longer a part of our collective spiritual or social life. I do know that almost every Indian Nation had flutes and many still do.
The gourd rattle is made from the gourd plant which is similar to the squash. The fruit is dried and the dry seeds inside make the rattling noise. A hole may be drilled in the gourd and small stones inserted to make a clear and louder rattle. This type of rattle isused in the saced medicine societies such as a) Shake Pumpkin, b)Little Water, and c) Dark Dance.
There are two types of turtle rattles and both are used for sacred ceremonies. The smaller ones are used for the Great Feather Dance, the larger by the Hato:wi Society. (Hato:wi are carved wooden masks used to doctor people). The smaller turtle rattles are preferred by the singers of the Great Feather Dance because they are lighter in weight and can be handled better without the singers' arms becoming tired. It is said that the Great Feather Dance is the Creator's song. It is one of the most sacred songs. It is also told that on the turtle's back the world began. It is one reason for which the turtle rattle is used to sing the Creator's song, known as the Great Feather Dance. When the singers hit the turtle rattle on the wooden bench it represents the action and active life of the world. All of the world's life becomes alive and moving. When the singers and people yell three times between verses of the song, it represents the creation of the human beings when the Creator blew three breaths of life into their mouths. It is for this reason the Great Feather Dance is used to acknowledge gratefully how our life began and to reaffirm life then and today. It is also understoood that when the Great Feather Dance is sung, our mother the Earth will grow and become more energized. The birds will hear the songs and they too will become renewed and energized. The same hold true of all life forms on our Mother Earth. Our elders have told us on many occasions that when the people don't participate or sing the Great Feather Dance that Mother Earth will not produce as much as before. If the day ever comes that our people do not sing or participate in the Great Feather Dance, the world we know will stop; the gardens will not grow food; there will be no more sunshine; no more rain; no more strawberries; no more water to quench our thirst; no more Grandmother Moon and no more babies will be born. The world will cease as we humans know it. There are many more facts connected to the Great Feather Dance, but one last thing I will tell you is to make sure to have a good mind when you participate in it.
The standing quiver or stomp dance is usually the first of any social dance in most Indian communities throughout the Six Nations. It is a dance that gets everybody in a good mood for dancing and singing. The musical instruments used are your feet, stomping and shuffling, helping to maintain the beat of the song. The dancers follow the leader or singer in a single file in a counter-clockwise direction. The singer starts by singing the first part of the song and then his helper sings the rest. At one point in the song the lead singer will sing a high note and then all the followers will dance sideways for a few seconds and then face frontwards again. These songs are said to be very old.
The unity stomp dance is another form of dance. In Ahkwesahsne, this dance is usually done before ending the social. It is basically similar to the standing quiver or stomp dance except that it zig zags all over the Longhouse, like a snake moving around in the grass. The songs to this dance come from different tribes or nations of Indians like the Creeks, Kickapoos, Utes, Kiowas, Pawnees, and so on. This is why it is called the Unity Stomp Dance. The zig zagging and movig in all directions symbolize our search for people to come and join the circle of unity. The musical instruments used are knee rattles and horn rattles.
The old moccasin dance is said to be very old. This dance is usually the third one in a social gathering. It is a partner dance and takes 4 people to be complete, but we will describe it with one couple. First of all, a man is in the front and a woman in back. At half way through the song, the lead singer will change the beat of the drum. Each partner will switch sides with his or her partner. At this point the woman is in front instead of the man. The songs of this dance are the first to be learned by the young people. The musical instruments used are the water drum and the horn rattles. This is a male/female dance.
In most Iroquois communities, the elders enjoy the Partner Fish Dance. The dance is not much different from the Old Moccasin Dance. The one exception is that one person dances backwards or the couples face each other. This is a fast dance and is popular among the young people. This is a male and female dance. The musical instruments are the water drum and the horn rattles.
(The Old Time Fish Dance is done exactly the same way as the Partner Fis Dance, except the words to the songs are different.)
The Round Dance is a social dance that is always included in our social dances. It is a dance or song originating from the Western Nations of the plains, but has been amongst our Iroquois Nations for all of a hundred years and perhaps two hundred years or more. The social round dance has of course been Iroquoinized so much that it would not be recognized as anything but Iroquoian.
The round dance is a slow dance. If it is danced in one circle, this will go counterclockwise, representing the positive things in life, all that Teharonhiawa:kon made in the world. It represents the sun, the birth of chldren and all other happy events. All the people are holding hands in the circle alternating man/woman/man/woman. When the drum beat changes, the dancers change direction without losing step. When the circle goes clockwise it represents the twin brother called Shawiskara. The dance will the represent the negatives of life, such as death, tears, and the night time.
The round dance sometimes is referred to as the dance of life because it acknowledges both the positives and negatives of life. If a second circle is required , the inner circle will go counter clockwise and the outer circle clockwise.
The steps are simple because the lead foot steps in, the other foot follows. This is done while the dancers are holding hands.
The alligator dance is probably from the Creek Indians in the South. They say this dance was brought here when the Confederacy sent out messengers of peace. The messengers were sent to invite others to come and join the Iroquois to sit under the Great Tree of Peace. This dance is a partner dance of men and women. The woman will hold the man's arm and the dance steps are jog-like. The lead singer and assistant will give the signal to the dance by a change in the song, then the man will swing the woman in a complete circle. When the lead dancer sings a chant then the dancers behind him will answer in a chanting tone. Next, the lead dancer will signal the singers to take over the song again and swing once again. This goes on at least five times throughout the song. The musical instruments used for this dance are the water drum and the horn rattles.
The friendship dance is an easy, slow moving song and dance. It is a partner dance, men and women. This is a two-step dance, one foot forward using the toe and one step back. The same thing is done with the other foot. The singers will give a signal for the dancers to make a complete turn and then they go forward again. The musical instruments used are the water drum and the horn rattles.
The mosquito dance is a new dance borrowed from the Choctaw Indians in the State of Mississippi. It came to Ahkwesahsne when a Mohawk man married a Choctaw woman. The dance was accepted by the Mohawks and other Iroquois communities and has become part of our social dances. This dance is a kicking dance. Two couples, male and female, hold each other's little fingers and then each kicks in the opposite direction. As the couples are dancing, the lead singer and his assistants will give a signal to make a complete turn. Before turning the couple will give out a yell. Once that is completed, the dancers keep going with the dance. In Mississippi, the muscial instruments used are sticks. The sound comes from hitting the sticks together, but in Ahkwesahsne we use a water drum and horn rattles.
Return to Akwesasne Mohawk School