This Date in Native History: On November 5, 1862, a five-man military commission convicted 319 Dakota men in connection with a series of armed conflicts in southwestern Minnesota. Of the 392 tried, 307 were originally sentenced to death—later reduced to 303—and 16 to prison terms. Ultimately, 38 men were hanged after a review of those […]
History
Native American History – Turtle Island: The Original Name for North America
The name Turtle Island comes from the Aboriginal Creation story Turtle Island was renamed North America after a Spanish explorer, Amerigo Vespucci The Anishinaabek are one of the most widespread nations of the Aboriginal People of Turtle Island. There are Anishinaabek people living from The Canadian Sub-arctic across Turtle Island into Mexico. Many Native nations […]
Native American History – Sacajawea: The True Story
Sacajawea “The Bird Woman” Sacajawea (Sak-a-ja-we’-ah), a young indian woman of the great Lemhi Shoshone was born about 1787 in the Snake River Country, what is today southern Idaho. She was to become famous around the world. Sometime between the age of ten and fourteen, she was captured by a Hidatsa war party, a hostile […]
Native American History – How the Powwow Began
“Powwow was an Algonquin term, “pauwau” or “pauau”, which referred to a gathering of medicine men and spiritual leaders. “Pauwauing” referred to a religious ceremony, usually one of curing. In the 1800’s the European explorers observing these religious gatherings and dances mispronounced the word as powwow. (Jennings, The Invasion of America, p. 241.) In 1646 […]
Hmong Traditions – Shamans & Ancestor Worship
Shaman: The Hmongs believe that dreams and illnesses are signs of calling. The spirit addresses the person in a dream and when that person wakes up, he/she will have a new realization of his fate. The individual must take a journey to the heavenly palace. In the spirit world, the individual walks the path while […]
What Is the Hmong Flute Instrument?
What is the Hmong Flute instrument? DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The Hmong flute is made of bamboo and a brass reed. The Hmong flute consists of a narrow bamboo tube with six finger holes in the front at the lower end and one open curve at the top end. The mouth is curved where the brass reed […]
What Is the Hmong Free-Reed Pipe Instrument?
What is the Hmong Free-Reed Pipe instrument? DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE The Hmong Free Reed Pipe is made with bamboo, cane, and a brass reed. The Hmong Free Reed Pipe instrument consists of a narrow bamboo tube with six finger holes in the front and one in the back, which produce melodies. A brass reed is […]
What Is the Hmong Two-String Violin Instrument?
What is the Hmong Two-String Violin instrument? DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF THE TWO-STRING VIOLIN The Hmong Two-String Violin is made from wood, coconut shells, plastic, wire, string, and horsehair. This instrument has a long neck and possesses two-strings with a drum-like chamber that is played with a violin-like bow. The strings are suspended between the […]
What Is the Ncas Instrument?
What is the Ncas instrument? DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF THE NCAS The Ncas is made with brass, a bamboo case, and string. The “Ncas” or mouth harp is traditionally used by the Hmong in courtship and played either by young men or women. Clever couples can use the instrument as a private form of communication. […]
What Is the Qeej (Kheng) Instrument?
What is the Qeej (Kheng) instrument? ORIGIN OF THE QEEJ INSTRUMENT There are several Qeej creation stories that explain how the Qeej came to be and why it is used for Hmong funeral, wedding and New Year ceremonies Early evidence for the existence of the Qeej instrument is found in Chinese scriptures dating to 3000 […]
