The Natural World: American First Nations Songs and Chants, Part 2 of 2

Today, let us continue with the “Pima Ritual Song Cycle,” from the Pima people of the Gila and Salt Rivers area of Arizona.

PIMA RITUAL SONG CYCLE BASKET-BEATING SONGS

“As the Sun sinks to the westward We begin singing the Eagle songs. The home of the Magician rises, Standing before me in the land. We begin singing the Eagle songs. Earth Magician now comes hither; Earth Magician now comes hither. From the depths the songs are rising, And by him are here established. As now the land is prosperous; As now the land is prosperous. Elder Brother comes from the East; He comes here as a child might, The land prospers with his coming. […]

The evening glows red in the West, And the birds here gather about me. Now I hear the screams of the Eagle. Haiya ha aiya haya haya ha-a! Now I meet and see you. Haiya ha!

Roll from cliff end to cliff end, Roll, Winds, from the steep house walls. Thus the growing excitement Gathers like the winds that blow From the house of Wind Magician. In the East, my younger brothers, We are preceded by the bearers Of the sacred eagle feathers. In the East, my younger brothers, We are preceded by the bearers Of the sacred eagle feathers In the distant land of Eagle, In the distant land of Eagle Sounds the harmonious rolling Of reverberating thunder. Now the Swallow begins his singing; Now the Swallow begins his singing. And the women who are with me, The poor women begin to sing. The Swallows meet in the standing cliffs; The Swallows meet in the standing cliffs. And the rainbows arched above me, There the blue rainbow arches meet. The Black Swallows running hither; The Black Swallows running hither, Running hither come to lead me, Lead me there, lead me there. Haiya! Far in the distant east Lie the clouds hidden under the mountain. Far in the east direction To the hidden clouds I come running. […]”