Music of the Sioux and the Navajo

This 1949 album was recorded by American ethnomusicologist Willard Rhodes (1901–1992) with the cooperation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (previously the United States Office of Indian Affairs). The selection from the Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota includes a Rabbit Dance and other love songs, a Sun Dance, and an Honoring (or public recognition) Song. The Diné (Navajo) peoples of the Southwest are highlighted through songs such as a Riding Song, a children’s Song of Happiness, a female Spinning Dance, and the distinctive Night Chant, sung in male falsetto. Rhodes provided an introductory essay and track notes.

Track Listing

101	Rabbit Dance Benjamin Sitting Up, Lucy Randall, Paul High Horse, Oliver Standing Bear and Jonas Quiver	03:15
102	Peyote Cult Song Philip Broken Leg with gourd rattle, water-drum	02:22
103	Love Song (1) Benjamin Sitting Up	00:57
104	Sun Dance Benjamin Sitting Up, Ellis Chips, and John Long Commander	01:34
105	Omaha Dance Benjamin Sitting Up, Ellis Chips, drummers, dancers with bells	01:33
106	Love Song (2) John Coloff	00:56
107	Honoring Song Sioux chorus and drum, Wanblee, South Dakota	02:01
201	Riding Song Navajo chorus and drum, Fort Wingate, New Mexico	01:49
202	Song of Happiness Fort Wingate Indian School children, New Mexico	01:12
203	Spinning Dance (1) Julia Deal	00:45
204	Spinning Dance (2) Julia Deal	00:58
205	Corn Grinding Song Navajo woman with basket-drum, Lukachukai, Arizona	01:01
206	Squaw Dance Ambrose Roanhorse, Chester Roanhorse, Tom Roanhorse	01:41
207	Silversmith's Song Ambrose Roanhorse	01:10
208	Night Chant Sandoval Begay and group of Navajo singers	02:59