Kwakwaka’wakw Dances and Dancing: Our Dances Today

by William Wasden Jr.

Our traditional dance ceremonies still take place much like they did in the old days.  Younger family members still inherit our ancient dance and song privileges.  Often we include children in the dance ceremonies to ensure that our culture will continue.

After the government released us 55 years ago to conduct our potlatches publicly, some dances took a long time to return, but we began to devote ourselves to relearning our culture and teaching it to our children.  The potlatch is still the cornerstone of our culture, but often the ceremonies and dances are shorter than they used to be.  The old ceremonies would sometimes last all night, or take days to complete.  Now our people must live non-traditionally to keep jobs and make a living.  Still, we value our teachings and will continue to do so for many generations to come.

Am’lala Play Songs

Often we use our Am’lala (Play Songs) during Kwakwaka’wakw ceremonies. In ancient times, these dances were sacred and a part of the T’seka. Today, we use them for fun when we celebrate the end of a successful gathering. These songs, like others, belong to certain families and have origin stories. These histories also shows us how we should do the dances.

When a family sings a Play Song and dances, everyone is welcome to join in, including the visiting guests. In many Play Songs, people shout in celebration.

Ancient Am’lala from the ‘Namgis:

Everyone keep on!
Our tribe is rising in the potlatch!
Our tribe has risen in the ranking!
Everyone in our tribe, keep on!

Everyone keep on!
Our coppers are rising in the potlatch!
The value of our coppers has risen!
Everyone in our tribe, keep on!

Everyone keep on!
Our tribe’s laughter is rising!
Our tribe is laughing because we are happy
that we have risen in the ranking!
Everyone in our tribe, keep on!

Everyone keep on!
The eagle down of our tribe is rising in the potlatch!
Our tribe’s eagle down has risen!
Everyone in our tribe, keep on!

Both men and women dance to this song. As the words begin, the dancers move forward, dancing to the beat. Their feet alternate in imitation of the drum. The men carry white eagle tailfeather fans; the ladies hold their hands to the side with their palms downward.  The hand motion represents patting the people on the top of their heads. This symbolizes our tribe moving higher in rank as the other tribes stay down.  Both men and women lean toward the onlookers and bounce to the first part of the song. When the song repeats the first line, the dancers change over to the other side and lean toward the fire.

This gesturing represents the greatness of our people.  It shows how we have fulfilled the roles of our ancestors.  It ensures that future generations will uphold our tribe’s names. The potlatch does this through dancing, singing and giving gifts to our guests.

Am'lala Video
3 megs +

You can read an interview with professional dancer and initiated Hamat'sa William Wasden, Jr. here.

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This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through Canadian Culture Online

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