Seneca texts relating to the Green Corn Ceremony; An origin of the False Faces

Mss.Rec.128

Date: 1948 | Size: 2 reel(s)

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Abstract

Seneca texts relating to the Green Corn Ceremony and Chant of Handsome Lake, given by Sherman Redeye, and an origin of the False Faces, given by Clara Redeye. Recorded in September 1948 at Coldspring Longhouse, Allegany Reservation, New York. These tapes are identified by William Fenton as "originals or copies of recordings made for the Library of Congress: Nos. 21322, 21324."

Digital objects note

This collection contains digital materials that are available in the APS Digital Library. Links to these materials are provided with context in the inventory of this finding aid. A general listing of digital objects may also be found here.

Collection Information

Physical description

2 sound tape reels (48 min.) : analog, 7 1/2 ips, full track, mono ; 7 in.

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access:

Access to the audio in this collection is currently restricted due to the high likelihood of its cultural sensitivity, pending further review. Please consult the Curator of Native American Materials for more information.

Provenance

Donated by Wililam Fenton in 1985. (Acc. 1985 751r)

Processing information

Collection digitized and cataloged by Brian Carpenter during the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation funded audio digitization project, 2008-2014.

Related material

Related manuscript materials are available in the William N. Fenton Papers (Mss.Ms.Coll.20).

Accompanying notes

The box for tape 1 includes this description:

"Announcement of day's ceremony -- Great Feather Dance & 4 Ceremonies for children -- The announcement for naming babies at First Day Green Corn Dance -- Announcement with cries by member of Snipe clan of a name of boy baby with cries, claps -- Closing Address 4th Day Green Corn Festival after Bowl Game; thanks to all who have participated; chiefs, officials, singers, dancers, warriors to end 4 ceremonies, warriors -- English comment regarding Mid-Winter Festival [?] Faces mentioned, other differences learned from Henry Redeye;"

Note on "False Face"

"False Face" is a term for Haudenosaunee Medicine Masks that was applied by the original collector to this recording. The term is considered both inaccurate and offensive by many Haudenosaunee communities.

Indexing Terms

Genre(s)

Sound recordings

Personal Name(s)

Fenton, William N. (William Nelson), 1908-2005
Handsome Lake, 1735-1815
Redeye, Clara
Redeye, Sherman

Subject(s)

Seneca Indians -- Folklore
Seneca Indians -- Religion
Speeches, addresses, etc., Seneca

Detailed Inventory

Tape 1			Request Item for Reading Room Access Request a Copy of this Item
01-01 Redeye, Sherman. Fenton, William N. (William Nelson), 1908-2005. Seneca Texts for the Green Corn Festival	1948-09-01	1 .mp3 ; 00:30:53	Request File for Reading Room Access Request a Copy of this File
Location of originals: This file is a compressed, digitized version of the original. The APS Library maintains the original format (Sound tape reel) as well as an uncompressed digitized version of this recording. General physical description: 00:30:53 Other Descriptive Information: Fenton's notes from the box for tape 1 read as follows: "According to Solon Jones, Harold Kittle remarked that these doings were about half the Tonawanda way and half Newtown--HK has Newtown versions of the songs written out. "Cornelius Seneca reports that he doesn't recall having turned off his machine at all, once the ceremony began. However, he wasn't able to take his mike [sic] outside for the singing circuit of the Longhouse at the end, but only followed the singers to the door. "Solon Jones says he must have missed 'about 6 more songs' by not going outside. (SJ wasn't at the ceremony, nor has he heard the recording.)" Geographic Name(s): Allegany Indian Reservation (N.Y.) Subject(s): Speeches, addresses, etc., Seneca; Seneca Indians -- Rites and ceremonies Access digital object: http://diglib.amphilsoc.org/fedora/repository/audio:3589
Tape 2			Request Item for Reading Room Access Request a Copy of this Item
02-02 Redeye, Sherman. Fenton, William N. (William Nelson), 1908-2005. Chant of Handsome Lake	1948-09-02	1 .mp3 ; 00:04:22	Request File for Reading Room Access Request a Copy of this File
Location of originals: This file is a compressed, digitized version of the original. The APS Library maintains the original format (Sound tape reel) as well as an uncompressed digitized version of this recording. General physical description: 00:04:22 Geographic Name(s): Allegany Indian Reservation (N.Y.) Subject(s): Seneca Indians -- Religion; Seneca Indians -- Rites and ceremonies Access digital object: http://diglib.amphilsoc.org/fedora/repository/audio:3590
02-03 Redeye, Clara. Fenton, William N. (William Nelson), 1908-2005. The Origin of the False Faces	1948-09-02	1 .mp3 ; 00:13:07	Request File for Reading Room Access Request a Copy of this File
Location of originals: This file is a compressed, digitized version of the original. The APS Library maintains the original format (Sound tape reel) as well as an uncompressed digitized version of this recording. General physical description: 00:13:07 Geographic Name(s): Allegany Indian Reservation (N.Y.) Subject(s): Seneca Indians -- Folklore; Seneca Indians -- Rites and ceremonies Access digital object: http://diglib.amphilsoc.org/fedora/repository/audio:3591