Metis Music and Dance
|
The roots of the Metis run deep in the Turtle Mountains and reflect a unique cultural heritage that was developed during the initial blending of European and indigenous cultures during the early 1800s. Metis music blends elements from both traditions but is wholly different from both.
Metis fiddling was created for dances and was played around the campfires of the buffalo hunting camps and the winter cabins of the people. The music can range from happy and lively to serene and mournful, and is sometimes accompanied by a guitar. Perhaps the best known example of Metis music is the tune “Red River Jig.” The Red River Jig is something of an anthem for traditional Metis music and most fiddlers have a version of it that they play. The tune itself comes from the French-Canadian tune “La Grande Gigue Simple.” Though the term “jig” usually refers to a tune in 6/8 or triple time in the Scottish/Irish tradition, the Metis use of it is an anglicization of the French word “gigue,” which is a stepdancing tune in duple meter. The Metis jig dances range from individual fast stepping to choreographed square dances. |
|
|
|
|
Metis Cultural Festivals
The Ryan Keplin Summer Fest is a three-day annual event that celebrates family-oriented music, fun, and food. It features various activities, exciting contests, and highly anticipated performances by various artists.
|
Keplinfest was named #1 for The 10 Best Small Town North Dakota Festivals You've Never Heard Of, selected as 1 of the top 100 festivals by the American Bus Association and selected as an 'Event to Watch' by ND Tourism.
|
