 Tlingit people love music and it’s a strong feature of their culture. All of the significant ceremonial events include singing and dancing. Much of the Tlingit’s history, legends and family traditions are told through song and dance. <--To listen to Tlingit songs click on the musical note to the left! Types of songs Tlingits love music and there were songs for just about every occasion. There were potlatch songs, songs about the clan, mourning songs (these constitute the most of the songs), walking songs,'house doorway' songs to greet guests, thank you or 'gunalcheesh' songs, funny songs, songs for children, feeling songs, shaman songs, LOVE songs (which are the most beautiful, in my opinion), and of course general dance songs. Preservation These aspects of the past are retained through the creative expression of song and dance. The young are instructed by the elders to memorize and practice the songs. The young are responsible for carrying the songs with them and teaching future generations. Some present day singers say that many of the songs have become untranslatable. Many of the words are in the old tongues and are no longer spoken even by many of the most seasoned and eldest Tlingit speakers.  Song structure The songs, or more recognizably chants, consist of a few long and drawn our phrases and words that are sang melodically and repeatedly. Both f emales and men sing most songs. Females sing the songs a half octave higher then men. Songs are led by a clear beat, usually from a drum. The commanding sound of the drumbeat signifies the start and end of a song. Accompaniment Other than a drum, few other instruments were used. Occasionally you will hear a staff used to set a beat, beating sticks, or a rattle. On occasion hollowed pipes will be used as accompaniment, as well as calls, and bellow shaped instruments—these are more borrowed instru  Performance The way people dance and move to the song is in alignment with the harmonic nature of the songs and made more dramatic by the commanding beats of the drum. The order in which the songs are performed is also very important. The picture to the left is a common way inwhich Tlingit women dance. Their hand is extended in a 'basket carrying-gathering or praising' way--meaning it is extended to their side as if holding a basket, or if they are praising the spirits and then they sway. Men dance by jumping up and down to the beat of the song with stiff legs and sharp movements of their bodies often mimicking that of animal of their lineage's movements. |