Dene music facts for kids
Dene music is the traditional music of the Dene people. The Dene are First Nations groups who speak Northern Athabaskan languages. These groups include the Chipewyan (Denesuline), Tlicho (Dogrib), Yellowknives (T'atsaot'ine), Slavey (Deh Gah Got'ine or Deh Cho), and Sahtu. Dene music includes both songs and dances.
What is Dene Music?
Dene music is a rich part of the Dene culture. It has many different types of songs. A Dene writer named Leela Gilday talks about four main kinds of Dene songs:
- Dene love songs (called Ets’ula)
- Tea dance songs (called Iliwa)
- Handgames songs
- Drum dance songs
In the 1800s, a visitor named George Keith saw Dene people in Fort Liard. He noticed three types of songs: love songs, sad songs (lamentation songs), and special ceremonial songs.
Sounds and Instruments
Dene folk music often uses melodies that sound a bit like European music. They also have special notes called blue notes. These notes give the music a unique feel.
A scholar named Michael Asch studied Dene music. He said it has a clear melody and a steady beat. Traditional Dene music mostly uses one main instrument. This instrument is a frame drum called an egheli.
Drum dances are very important to the Dene people. They are also known as tea dances. These dances are a long-standing tradition for all Dene groups living near the Mackenzie River valley.
Singing Styles
Dene songs often have a special rhythm called syncopation. This means the beats are sometimes off-beat, which makes the music lively. Singers also use a pulsating vocal style. This makes their voices sound strong and vibrant.
Most melodies in Dene music tend to go downwards. Many songs, especially drum dances, end in a special way. They finish with a vocal glissando (a sliding sound) and a drum break. After the music, people often say mahsi, which means thank you. Songs also use many special sounds called vocables. These are sounds that don't have a specific meaning, but they are part of the song's melody.
Composing Songs
Most Dene songs are created anonymously. This means we don't usually know who wrote them. There are no strict rules about who can write a song. Anyone can compose most types of songs.
In more recent times, some songwriters have become well-known. Johnny Landry is one of the most famous Dene songwriters. In 1980, he wrote a song called "Hina Na Ho Hine". This song is now considered the unofficial anthem of the Dene people. A famous Canadian singer, Susan Aglukark, recorded a version of this song. She included it on her 1995 album, This Child. Her version featured Dene drummers.
See also
