|
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo (11/26/2011) - The rhythmic beating
of a drum accompanied by a strong voice singing in a native
tongue filled the gym on Camp Bondsteel Nov. 24 as the
Native American dance group called Yellowbird Indian Dancers
performed for the soldiers and civilians stationed here.
The Native American dance group called Yellowbird Indian Dancers graced Camp Bondsteel with their program
on Nov. 24, 2011 featuring social ceremonial dances from numerous Indian tribes. Yellowbird travels around the world sharing their traditional native stories, songs and dances. In addition to the performance, Native American soldiers serving on Kosovo Forces 14 prepared fry bread, soups, beans and other traditional dishes. Photo by
Army Staff Sgt. Anna Doo
|
This is the second time Yellowbird has traveled to Kosovo to
share their culture with troops deployed as part of the
NATO-led peacekeeping force termed Kosovo Forces. They are a
family of dancers who have been performing for more than 25
years and travel the world working through the U.S. State
Department sharing their traditional native stories, songs
and dances.
Ken Duncan, Sr., Doreen Duncan, Ken
Duncan, Jr., David Brush, Gya Watson and Brooke
Canyon presented their cultural roots through ceremonial
song, dance and costumes that sang their own tune alongside
their wearers. Canyon's purple hued dress was adorned with
five rows of bells that sang out with each step she took.
The fringe sewn on Watson's dress kept rhythm with her feet
as she performed the Bow and Arrow dance.
One of the
performances offered the crowd of soldiers an opportunity to
participate in a Round Dance linking hands and moving to the
beat in a circle.
1st. Lt. Winston Holyan from
Tohatchi, N.M., currently serving as the 126th Military
Police commander as part of KFOR14 and a member of the
Navajo nation, said, “There's actually a name given to it
[the Round Dance], it's called inter-tribal. It's something
that anyone can do. You don't have to have a TM [technical
manual] or an FM [field manual] or instructions. What the
messages are in that Round Dance are about friendship,
holding hands, bonding.”
Doreen said the dances
performed for the troops were all social dances able to be
shared with anyone wanting to watch. Some of the ceremonial
dances, such as one marking a coming of age, are only done
for the tribal membership she said.
“We opened our
program with the flag song to honor the American flag,”
Doreen said. “The second song was a victory song and it was
done to honor all of the military past and present. We also
did an honor song for the individuals that are Native
Americans who are part of this camp. The Apache Bow and
Arrow dance; when he is singing that song, he is asking for
the safe return of all of our military.”
The military
service of Native Americans has a long history as Ken
pointed out. In the Apache Bow and Arrow song, he mentions
the four last battles; World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the
Persian Gulf which includes the current conflicts. Doreen
echoed his comments about why they perform for soldiers
stateside and around the world.
“I think it's very
important for non-natives to know that as native people we
really have a great respect and honor for all military,” she
said. “We show that through our songs and through our
dances. To let people know that even though we represent
less than 1% of the population, we contribute a lot to the
military.”
Holyan said there are over 500 different
tribal groups in the Americas and that at times it is hard
for him to remember there are so many. He went on to say
that in New Mexico there are 22 groups and Arizona has the
same number. By Yellowbird visiting and sharing the Native
American culture, Holyan said it reminded him of how strong
the traditions are. “I thought it was great that they came.
It's a good reminder that our people are still around and
have been for eons.”
The gracefulness of each of the
dances invoked imagery of the natural world that is all
around. Through the Apache Rainbow dance offering thanks
after a life-giving rain shower to the Grass dance. The
Honor song performed by Ken Jr. adorned with wings of eagle
feathers also symbolized the raw earth as the underlying
theme throughout.
Holyan said that even though there
are so many tribes and as many traditions, a common thread
throughout Native American culture is the respect for the
earth, land and nature. Methods of celebrating where each
human originates from differ from one group to another, but
it is also a common reason for why Native Americans enlist
in military service. Holyan said there is not necessarily a
stronger theme than patriotism, but the ancient ties to the
soil and literally the land is one they are willing to fight
for.
The guests watching and listening to the
performance by Yellowbird were taken on a journey consisting
of sight, sound and taste. Spc. Terrie Charlie, KFOR14 and a
member of the Navajo tribe from Coyote Canyon, N.M., cooked
piles of light, flaky, hot fry bread. Some of her fellow
Native American service members also made traditional beans,
posole, red and green chile, and other stews for everyone to
taste.
The military is a melting pot of peoples and
cultures of the U.S. When individual traditions and customs
are shared, this serves to broaden the horizons of those
willing to participate in the cultural exchange. A sense of
pride in their heritage was evident on the faces of the
Native Americans serving on KFOR14 and the number of
participants in attendance speaks to the willingness of
soldiers to engage in and learn about their fellow soldiers
to their left and right.
More photos available below
By Army Staff Sgt. Anna Doo
200th Public Affairs Detachment
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
Comment on this article
|
