Contribution to Passamaquoddy Folk-Lore — John Shaqi
Contribution to Passamaquoddy Folk-LoreFewkes, Jesse Walter
History
Contribution to Passamaquoddy Folk-Lore
Fewkes, Jesse Walter
Passamaquoddy Indians -- Folklore
In order to make experiments, with a view of employing this means of
record among the less civilized Indians of New Mexico,[1] I visited,
in the month of April, the Passamaquoddies, the purest blooded race of
Indians now living in New England. The results obtained fully
satisfied my expectations. For whatever success I have had, I must
express my obligation to Mrs. W. Wallace Brown, of Calais, Me., whose
influence over the Indians is equalled by her love for the study of
their traditions.
[Footnote 1: This work was undertaken as a preparation for similar
observation in connection with the Hemenway Archaeological Expedition.
I am indebted to Mrs. Mary Hemenway, of Boston, for opportunities to
make these observations.]
The songs and stories were taken from the Indians themselves, on the
wax cylinders of the phonograph. In most cases a single cylinder
sufficed, although in others one story occupied several cylinders.
None of the songs required more than one cylinder.
I was particularly anxious to secure the songs. The Passamaquoddies
agree in the statement that their stories were formerly sung, and
resembled poems. Many tales still contain songs, and some possess at
this day a rhythmical character. I am not aware that any one has tried
to set the songs to music, and have had nothing to guide me on that
head.
In sacred observances it is probable that the music of the songs
preserves its character even after other parts have been greatly
modified, while the song retains its peculiarity as long as it
continues to be sung. The paraphernalia of the sacred dance may be
modified, as in the case of many New Mexican pueblos, into church
festivals, but the songs must remain unchanged until superseded. It is
noteworthy in this connection that in many of the songs archaic words
occur.
The following list indicates the variety of records which were made:--
1-3. The story of how Glooscap reduced the size of the
animals. These cylinders give the story in substantially the
same way as published by Leland in his "Algonquin Legends."
4. A collection of Indian words corresponding with those
found on page 82 of the schedule of the United States Bureau
of Ethnology.
5. English words with Passamaquoddy translations.
6, 7. An old tale of how Pookjinsquess stole a child.
8. Song of the "Snake Dance."
9. "War Song."
10. Song sung on the night when the governor's election is
celebrated. This song was sung by proxy, and contains
compliments to the feast, thanks to the people for election,
and words of praise to the retiring chief. It is a very old
song, unknown to many of the younger Indians.
11. Numerals from 1 to 20; the days of the week; also, a
"counting-out" rhyme.
12-14. Tale of Leux and the three fires.
15. Tale of Leux and Hespens.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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