Rain Dance
rhythmic ceremonial ritual
© Richard Coffey - All Rights Reserved
- Ojibwe Saying
Rain Dance
The original purpose of a Native American rain dance was to encourage the gods to forgive the tribe and send rain. When the United States began to encroach upon the rights of American Indian groups, they also used the rain dance to assert their identity.
Currently, the tribes that most frequently perform rain dances are the Navajo and Hopi tribes, and they have unique physical items that they use in their rain dances. Typically, rain dances also serve a purpose as a ceremonial environment in which the history of the tribal group can be retold.
About the Music:
Rain Dance primarily features the Native American bass flute. Since the span of the melody exceeds the bass flute's range, 4 different flutes were required! (Each flute has only an octave and a third range).
Acoustic guitar, acoustic bass and a variety of percussion set the groove of the tune and the Native American bass flute solos as the coda fades out on a highly percussive rhythmic vamp.