Thunder Ceremony

 

 

 

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Child to the Universe
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Naming Ceremony
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Sunrise Ceremony
Thanks to Mother Earth
Thunder Ceremony

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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. 

Csong21.gif (25174 bytes)
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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Peer- Level Topic Links:
 [ 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 ]

Parent- Level Topic Links:
[ Native Skills ] [ Totem Poles ] [ Indian Sign Language ] [ Indian Ceremonies ] [ Indian Dance ] [ Indian Songs ] [ Birch Bark Dances ] [ Birch Bark Songs ] [ Birch Bark Plays ] [ Indian Games for Boys ]

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Last modified: October 15, 2016.