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Courtney Yellowfat and Kelcie Two Shields - Song of the Grass Dance (Song 199)

from Lakota Songs by Densmore Repatriation Project

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From Teton Sioux Music by Frances Densmore:

The grass dance was described by Kills at Night, a comparatively young man, who was a prominent singer at the drum. “There is always a feast at a grass dance. The men who have charge of the meeting decide who shall provide the feast, and the Crier notifies them.

The same people are not asked to provide for two successive feasts. Each ‘cook’ brings what she likes—dried berries or grapes, wild turnips, and sometimes sweet corn, prepared by boiling it with ashes until the husk drops off, then washing it thoroughly and boiling it with a bone which has fat on it.”

The drum is outside the circle of dancers, near that side of the assembly where the men sit. A few women sing with the men at the drum. One feature of this dance is that a lost article must be redeemed with a gift. Thus, if a feather falls to the ground the whole party dance around it, and one of the men goes forward and strikes it, afterwards giving a present to some old man, who is not expected to make any return.

The men dance alone. The women also dance alone, but occasionally summon a few men, whom they call by various terms of relationship, as “brother” or “cousin.” If a woman calls a married man into the dancing circle his wife regards it as an honor. His wife always gives a present to the woman who asked him to dance.

Sometimes a woman, rising, tells the brave deed of some relative, and all the women respond with the high, quavering cry which is their customary applause.”

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from Lakota Songs, released August 31, 2022
Song of the Grass Dance (d) (Song 199)
Sung by Courtney Yellowfat and Kelcie Two Shields
Song No. 199 • Catalog No. 597
Densmore recording sung by Haŋhépi Kté (Kills at Night)

www.lakotasongs.com/song199

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youtu.be/wUtf07AUtx0

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Densmore Repatriation Project

At Standing Rock in 1911, Frances Densmore met with dozens of tribal elders and recorded traditional songs on wax cylinder. Densmore documented this work in her book Teton Sioux Music which became a touchstone for learning about Lakota/Dakota culture. The Densmore Repatriation Project reintroduces the songs with new recordings made by contemporary Native singers. ... more

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