Indian Games and Dances with Native Songs by Alice C. (Alice Cunningham) Fletcher
page 47 of 123 (38%)
page 47 of 123 (38%)
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In the first line at each "away" the dancers should look up toward the East
and move a step forward in that direction. At the line "Leave the sky!" they should point their flags toward the East, keeping the staff out on a level with the body, and accent it by thrusting it forward as if pointing to the East, being careful not to change the level of the staff. At the second "Leave the sky!" the level of the staffs must be raised to about the chin of the dancer and the same pointing motion repeated at this level. At the third "Leave the sky!" the staffs are raised to the level of the dancers' eyes and the same pointing movement repeated. At the fourth "Leave the sky!" the level of the staffs is raised to a line with the top of the head and the pointing motions again given. At the last line, "Stormy clouds, begone!" the staffs and flags should be raised aloft and waved with precision to the rhythm of the song. The steps and movements of the body should be that of backward and forward, to give a pulsating effect, all in exact time with the music. The drum should be beaten in 4/8 time, the first and third stroke heavier than the second and fourth. This series of movements constitutes the Appeal to the East. The dancers next turn to the North, repeat the song and all the movements of staff and body in exactly the same manner. The dancers now turn toward the West and go through the song and movements without any variation. They then turn toward the South and repeat song and movements as before. This brings the First Appeal to a close. SECOND APPEAL All the dancers gather in a loose group in the center of the open space, |
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