These readings cover the many interactions with the Native Americans that many o

f the Europeans hadwhen first exploring the New World. We read the surprisingly v
ery different ways in which these explorers communicated with the natives.
SirFrances Drake wrote these notes for the people on his ship so that they could
publish his experiencesafter his death. For the most part, all of these are narra
tives to inform people of the many interactive experiences with the Native Ameri
cans.
In the Adelanto piece, I learned that no matter what point in history, women wer
e always inferior. Here, the women near her, sat below them them. Why not at the s
ame level? According to William Wood, women were seen unworthy and incapable in
the Native American community. However, he kindly describes women as excellent,
hardworking and modest people. He describes their duties, and remarkably adds in
the idea of the struggles of child birth. I got a glimpse of Native American ri
tual in John Smiths narrative. There is singing and dancing, with rattles and sho
uts, for hours at a time. There is a man who helps keep the beat for everyone el
se. Once this is over, they all feast. Additionally, Duran claims that Native Am
ericans were musically inept. They had no concept of music theory or any knowled
ge of even some forms of musical instruments. Their music and lyrics dont have re
al words, but rather insane shouts that are animal like.
I enjoyed reading about these friendly interactions between the Native Americans
and Christians. We often hear of scalping and other horrendous acts against the
natives, but dont ever acknowledge these little musical moments that brought the
two groups together, even just for an evening. In the John Smith reading I am c
onfused: The Native Americans supposedly have no source of religion, but the nex
t sentence claims that they pray to the devil. Although it was through the force
of assimilation, the Native American children were taught how to read music som
ehow, as to not rely on memory. In the Libro de Coro Durn teaches native children
important concepts, such as intervals and natural and chromatic scales. I love
the quote by Durn regarding the everlasting importance of music in life. He hopes
that his students will do jobs that allow them to sing while working. Music will
always be an underlying crucial aspect of their lives, or so he had hoped. Altho
ugh I disagree with his lack of confidence in the Native American abilities, I a
gree with the imperativeness of having music in ones life forever.