Catlin observed two different types of singing among his host nation--one somber and guttural, the other melodic and serene.
For some time now, I have endeavored to present a detailed picture of indigenous life. I have made every effort to avoid slipping into talk of war and politics and have focused on tribal customs and attributes. The limitations of space prohibited a more detailed exploration of singing among other tribes, but next week we will look at how the Lakota Sioux and Plains employ singing for a variety of purposes.
