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Tewa Native American Dancers
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The Native American dance troupe known
as the Tewa Dancers From the North, from New Mexico,
U.S.A. performed for Amma on the main stage on the evening
of the 25th. Their dance is considered a prayer and
a duty, performed to help the seasons flow and to bring
harmony to the universe. They feel as a people that
they are an integral part of nature, no more significant
than all other elements like the plants, animals, sky,
sun, moon, and mountains. |
The group offered two different forms
of worship: the Eagle Dance and the Women’s Pueblo
Dance. The shows the motions of the eagle—how
it glides, how it feeds its young. At the left side
of the stage, two male elders began beating a steady
rhythm on hand held drums while they chanted in their
native language |
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From the right entrance, three woman and two girls slowly
made their way in a long line to the center of the stage.
Their deliberate movements included knee bends in place while
each rhythmically shook a rattle held in a right hand and
two eagle feathers in the left. Amma appeared entranced as
the women gracefully offered their dance. They then glided
a step before repeating the same sequence in a repetitive
pattern. The women and girls’ faces revealed an introverted
gaze. Their native attire was a simple white tunic and pants
decorated with colorful geometric borders and a red waist
sash.
Three young men dressed as eagles then glided onto the stage.Three
young men dressed as eagles then glided onto the stage.
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They bore a remarkable resemblance to
eagles, because they wore on each arm an elaborate wing
made of eagle feathers and a head mask complete with
eyes and beak covering most of the head and face. They
were dressed in white shirt, leggings, and waist cloth
embossed with multicolored geometric patterns. A bundle
of turkey feathers gathered at the waist hung at the
back. The women shook a rhythm out with their rattles
while the “eagles” jumped and bounced, spreading
their wings in graceful motions. The dancers created
the illusion of flying and soaring in the sky. |
After their worship, they received darshan from Amma who
hugged the smallest one first for a very long time. They all
came with open hearts and tears in their eyes and appeared
very grateful and humble to be in Mother’s arms.
—Sharada Sayyed
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