Travis Mammedaty with his wife and friend, Misty
Ana Yoder makes connections with a favorite childhood memory:
A Diné College student named Travis Mammedaty shared some Kiowa songs with us. A song that stood out to me in particular was a children’s song called the “Prairie Dog Song” which follows Séndé, the Kiowa trickster, who decides to go out and play a song for the Prairie Dogs. Upon hearing the sweet music of the trickster, the Prairie Dogs come out and dance. As they sway, dance and “shake their tails” the trickster takes out his stick, kills the Prairie Dogs and puts them in his sack. However one curious Prairie Dog opens their eyes to see what is happening while they are dancing, and sees the trickster killing the Prairie Dogs. The curious Prairie Dog sounds the alarm, “tseku! tseku! tseku!” to tell the rest of the Prairie Dogs to go back underground.
Travis singing and drumming
This was my favorite song because it reminded me of a song that my mom sang when I was a kid. When I was little, my mom sang “Little Bunny Foo Foo” to me and this Prairie Dog song seems very similar. I like that there is a cultural connection through these two children’s songs. For some reason, scooping up small animals and bopping them on the head is a theme that carries through cultures. As an outsider coming into a new culture, I feel very much like a child: everything is new and interesting, I have so many questions, and a curiosity that could only be rivaled by a six-year-old. I feel like it’s a gift to enter into a new place with the eyes of a child because of the questions it allows me to ask. If I am a child in this place, then I have the most to learn.
Packing up
I think an important aspect of this song is that even though it is song is for kids, everyone can learn from it; it bridges generations and it connects cultures. This song allows older people to connect to children and for peers to reminisce on their childhood. “Remember that Prairie Dog song we used to sing as kids?” “Oh yeah! I taught it to my niece and nephew the other day!”
The fact that I was able to connect this song from the Kiowa culture to something from my upbringing speaks to the ability to connect cultures through music, even if it is a kid’s song. However, I do think that the killing of the Prairie Dogs could have been left out (or bopping on the head could be substituted in) and I still would have been able to make a connection from my childhood to the Kiowa culture, and the moral of the song would still be conveyed.
As a curious individual, I see myself in the part of the curious Prairie Dog. As much as I love an enticing tune, I will never blindly follow a sweet voice without questioning their intentions. I think this Prairie Dog Song teaches kids that it’s okay, and it’s good to be curious. I love a beautiful song as much as anyone else, but I think this song shows that you have to be wary of the one who sings it.
I’m very grateful to Travis for sharing his music with us and for Séndé and “Little Bunny Foo Foo” who unknowingly connect children of all ages across the cultural divide.
Travis leads the Gourd Dance drum…
… at the Kayenta Pow Wow
