This commonly shared game is a fun guessing game for students, a great way to work on Low La, and show music from the Comanche/Otoe tribes. Both tribes were around the Great Plains area which may be why there is a similar game from both nations.
Positionality:
I have no cultural ties to Native American heritage. I am sharing a common game that is played in elementary music classrooms and is appropriate for any time of year even though I am sharing it during Native American Heritage Month. Cultural inclusion should happen throughout the year and not only during heritage or history months.
The Song:
This song is from two tribes who had variations of this game. Both verses can be seen in the Kodaly Collection that is linked below under sources.
Rhythm Set: Ta, TiTi
Tone Set: Low La, Do
Form: AABB
The Game:
The class is divided into two groups with a line between them on the ground. Students sit shoulder to shoulder so that a small object such as a stone or piece of chalk (a relic!) may passed behind them. When the song ends, the students hold out their closed hands (palms closed down) in front of them. One person from the other team is the voice for the other team who must guess who has the object. If they guess correctly, they get a point. The passing team gets a point if they cannot guess correctly. (Limit to a few guesses such as 3).
Sources:
- DrumHop: https://drumhop.com/files/files/AmIndMusicForClassroom/ComancheOtoeHandGameSong.pdf If you haven’t discovered DrumHop.com yet, please head over there! There is a wealth of resources!
- Kodaly Center Analysis and game instructions: https://kodalycollection.org/song.cfm?id=608
Looking for more Native American resources?
- Quality Music Education Resources for Native American Heritage Month: This post has a large list of authentic resources to help you plan.
- Five Books for Native American Heritage Month
- Three More Books for Native American Heritage Month
- More books listed on www.theultimatemusicedbooklist.com
Hope this gives you a few ideas!
Hi!
Is there a video anywhere so I could hear and see it being played? I’m a visual person. LOL
Thank you!
Found this on YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWWOq646oZQ
Thanks! Learned this song years ago and it seems the Title was “mispelled”? I’ve never been able to locate to lyrics and song origin. Thanks!!! Patti
Glad you found it!