SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDIAN MUSIC
Today's traditional California music is generally referred to as bird singing and bird dancing.
Typically, the men (and boys) shake a gourd rattle in their hands and sing bird songs while the women (and girls) dance along.
Traditional California Indian song cycles can contain dozens of songs, and can span days to celebrate, honor, bless and morn life.
POW WOWS or FIESTAS
The Kumeyaay generally refer to their tribal social parties as traditional gatherings or fiestas.
In fact, the Southern California Indians never held the Plains Indian style "pow wows" that have become so popular on today's California Indian reservations.
Further, the Kumeyaay did not use the Indian drums that are associated with modern powwows.
Traditional Kumeyaay music is generally limited to hand-held rattles and singing, also flutes.
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