Seminole music

Seminole music is the music of the Seminole people, an indigenous people of the Americas who formed in Florida in the 18th century. Today most live in Oklahoma, but a minority continue in Florida. They have three federally recognized tribes, and some people belong to bands outside those groups. Their traditional music includes extensive use of rattles, bongos, and flutes.

Seminole folk songs include those used to treat the sick and injured, and to encourage animals to be easily hunted. Hunting songs were a cappella and call-and-response.

The two major ritual dances were the Green Corn Dance, held in June, and the Hunting Dance, held in October. Other informal dances were held throughout the year, with some specific dances only performed in either summer or winter. Many dances were connected with an animal spirit, such as the Snake, the Crawfish and the very important Alligator.

References

• Densmore, Francis (1956). Seminole Music. Florida Heritage Collection. 

Seminole
Federally recognized tribes	Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Seminole Tribe of Florida
Reservations	Big Cypress Brighton Fort Pierce Hollywood Immokalee Miccosukee Tampa
Languages	Afro-Seminole Creole Mikasuki language Muscogee language
Culture	Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Alligator wrestling Black Seminoles Chickee Fastachee Four Mothers Society Green Corn Ceremony Seminole music Stomp dance
History	Indigenous people of the Everglades region Seminole Wars Trail of Tears Green Corn Rebellion
Politics and law	List of chiefs Oklahoma Tax Commission v. United States Seminole Nation v. United States