Rabbit Dance Songs of the Lakota Available for the First Time on CD

12/07/2005 05:31AM

Phoenix (Arizona), USA - Rabbit Dance Songs of the Lakota by William Horncloud is now available on compact disk. This recording is the newest addition to Canyon Traditional Treasures, a series of recordings that were previously only available on cassette tape. Extensive liner notes on Lakota history, the Rabbit Dance and William Horncloud makes this release a historic treasure.

Originally recorded and released in 1971 (CR6081), Rabbit Dance Songs of the Lakota features the singing of perhaps the most well-known and respected traditional Lakota singers of the 20th century, William Horncloud, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He grew up singing traditional Lakota songs and traveled the country extensively sharing his songs. He was a much sought after singer to perform and teach these songs to others to ensure-they were preserved.

The Rabbit Dance is a social dance and the only Lakota dance for couples. The Rabbit Dance songs are always amorous and as with with other Lakota "love songs" although sung by men, they sing the words of women. Rabbit Songs grew popular in the second decade of (the 20th century) in response to governmental suppression of traditional Indian cultural practices.

Rabbit Songs .aren't as important in the current pow-wow contest scene. Still, understanding their significant role in the past and their documentation of developments in Lakota history can add to our appreciation of these songs that reflect the romantic, sad and lonely, and aggressively sassy tendencies in our lives.

[Buy Rabbit Dance Songs of the Lakota].

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20051126173151585