| Indigenous music of North America |
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| Music of indigenous tribes and peoples |
| Types of music |
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| Awards ceremonies and awards |
Yuman music is the music ofYumans, a group ofNative American tribes from what is nowSouthern California andBaja California. They includePaipai,Havasupai,Yavapai,Walapai,Mohave,Quechan,Maricopa,Tipai-Ipai,Cocopa, andKiliwa people.[1] Folk songs in Yuma culture are said to be given to a person while dreaming. Many individuals who are in emotional distress go to a secluded area for a few weeks, there to receive new songs.[2]
The songs are sung in particular cycles. AmongMohave people, a cycle could consist of 50–200 songs. Together thirty song cycles exists, all of which were initially dreamed by singers. A complete song cycle took an entire night to perform, which would be accompanied by gourd rattles or beating on baskets.[3]
While singing is the focus of Yuman music, it can be accompanied byrattles, which can be made of gourd or tin cans.[4]
Daniel Golding aQuechan filmmaker created the documentary, "Songs of the Colorado," featuring singers fromYuman speaking tribes inArizona andMexico. Of the music, Golding says, "The songs are all sung in the language, so if you're not learning and picking up the language, then you won't be able to understand the songs ... there are actually words telling stories..."[5]
An intertribal marching band called the Yuman Indian Band dates back at least to the 1920s. Composed of Quechan, Mohave, and other tribal members, they changed their name to the Quechan Indian Band in 1981.[6]
Preston Arrow-Weed, a Quechan elder and lead singer, Vernon Smith (Quechan), and Dale Phillips, vice chairman of theCocopah Indian Tribe are some of the foremost Yuman musicians today.[5] Jefferson Lewis is a younger singer.[4]