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Thunder Ceremony

Bringing in the Fire
Child to the Universe
Dance into Manhood
Naming Ceremony
New House Dedication
Peace Pipe Ceremony
Song of the Pleiades
Sunrise Ceremony
Thanks to Mother Earth
Thunder Ceremony

By Julia M. Seton

At the first peal of thunder, all hurry to the kiva, medicine lodge, or other central place of meeting, provided it has serious vibrations. The dining hall, for instance, would not be fitting.

The Medicine Man beats the time on his deepest toned drum. This is done in rapid rhythm, and with sharp, loud thumps. 

Behold the Dawn
(Song No. 21)

The music is BEHOLD THE DAWN (Song No. 21), with the first half done three times, then finishing with the second half. The words are by Ernest Thompson Seton, and illustrate the Indian practice to restrict themselves to few words in their songs. The original song had nothing to do with such a ceremony, but the rhythm suggested the words.

The group, standing, and keeping time with stamping, sings:

"Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling! 
Listen to the thunder, 
Is it not the thunder? 
Is it not the thunder? 
Is it not the thunder? 
Is it not the thunder?
     No! No! No! No!

"Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the buffalo, 
Is it not the buffalo? 
Is it not the buffalo? 
Is it not the buffalo? 
Is it not the buffalo?
    No! No! No! No!

"Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Is it not the mountain? 
Heaving, moving mountain? 
Is it not the mountain?
Heaving, moving mountain? 
Is it not the mountain? 
      No! No! No! No!

"Listen to the rumbling, 
Thunder of the rumbling, 
Listen to the rumbling, 
Thunder of the rumbling, 
Red Cloud's war band, 
Mighty myriads trample, 
Red Cloud's war band, 
Mighty myriads trample, 
      Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!"

The song is repeated till the fury of the storm has spent itself.

Native Ceremonies

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