. Bulletin. Ethnology. 50 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULi,. 136 prolonged, high tone at the opening of the song may have been in- tended to attract the attention of the guests. No. 36. Potlatch Song Recorded by Annie Tom (aatalog No. 1710) Voice J : 72 Drum J r 132 Drum rhythm similar to No. 14. 1 r ra s , » ^ ^ Analysis.—Four rhythmic periods form the length of this song, the rhythm of the first differing from the others in its opening measure. The intervals consist of three whole tones, occurring chiefly in descending progression. While E is suggested as a keynote, the tonality of the mel
. Bulletin. Ethnology. 50 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULi,. 136 prolonged, high tone at the opening of the song may have been in- tended to attract the attention of the guests. No. 36. Potlatch Song Recorded by Annie Tom (aatalog No. 1710) Voice J : 72 Drum J r 132 Drum rhythm similar to No. 14. 1 r ra s , » ^ ^ Analysis.—Four rhythmic periods form the length of this song, the rhythm of the first differing from the others in its opening measure. The intervals consist of three whole tones, occurring chiefly in descending progression. While E is suggested as a keynote, the tonality of the melody is not established. The first note of each measure, especially in the upper register, was sung with a decided accent. Five renditions were recorded and show no differences. Tlie following explanation of a potlatch was given by Francis James, who lives on Cooper Island. James said that when he was a little boy it was the custom for a man to give a potlatch in order to collect the debts owing to him. If his friends had borrowed money and it was time for payment, he announced that he would give a pot- latch, and told those who owed him money that he expected them to attend. They came and returned the money. Wlien he had received payment for all the debts, he gave presents to the people who had returned the money, perhaps a blanket or similar gift, and sometimes he gave them money. (Cf. Densmore 1939, pp. 72-95.) A song of the host at a potlatch was recorded by Dennis Peters, but was not transcribed as similar songs have already been presented. He said the host at a potlatch entered with a blanket wrapped around him, singing a song inherited in his family. The singers joined in this song. The host danced during the song and then gave away his blanket. The song was repeated with the gift of each valuable article. Between the repetitions of the song and during the bestow-. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhance
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