The Tradition of Music: Ojibwe
Ojibwe: In the 1720s, many Ojibwe families had left the east coast around on the west shore of Lake Superior and began moving into the north Minnesota. This was due to the increasing escalation and bloodshed between what was then colonists,British and rival tribes. An exodus took form and while the Ojibwe people were fleeing their ancestral homeland, they would not make friends elsewhere. Many people including the Dakota saw them as unwanted refugees and even enemies. Battles between the Dakota and the Ojibwe were often very bloody and culminated in wars and battles for many years. However the Dakota eventually ceded much territory to the Ojibwe. Significant populations moved into lands now part of North and South Dakota (although Dakota still remained in Minnesota).
Being widespread in this region, native tribes across the United States and Canada have significant populations of Ojibwe. This results in many different groups who sing, dance, and play Ojibwe music and help preserve, share and grow the culture. Here are a list of various Ojibwe groups that are found in the Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canadian regions:
Dokis Band
Ottawa Lake (Lac Courte Oreilles) Band
Nopeming Band
*Note that these are not actual “bands” as in playing music etc. However many if not all, share and play their cultural music.
Similarities between the First Nation Tribes exists and distinctions of social (public) or ceremonial (private) performance are used to this day.
Some instruments that may be played during social music may be rattles, drums and dancing music. Ceremonial may have vocal and percussion. Drums are a common staple in much of Native American Music. Animal hide was stretched over hollowed wood in many cases to create a drum. Gourds, horns, and drum sticks (made of wood or antler) were also used.
Drums, vocal artist(s) with distinctive pitch, and flute I found were a common occurrence. Many songs that I came across were “westernized” versions of Ojibwe songs or inspired by traditional Ojibwe music. While although we cannot call those authentic to the culture, separating the process of actual westernization of the Native Americans, many songs have a unique folk charm that is fun to listen to. Below are three videos highlighting some Ojibwe music with the last being an Ojibwe rapper. ;)
