The "Naa Kahidi Theater Group," in conjunction with "Coyote Gathers His People," will be performing tonight and tomorrow in the Hopkins Center.
The group is an extremely talented Native American acting group from Alaska. Focusing on Native American history and folklore, "Naa Kahidi" has performed throughout the country.
They hail from Southeastern Alaska and represent the Tlingit and Yup'ik Eskimo.
Most of the group's performances consist of sketches which are short interpretations of legendary stories.
The characters wear masks and costumes, and one member of the group narrates the tale. A good portion of the dialogue in these acts is in the Tlingit language, and is interpreted into English by the narrator. The pieces are further complemented by drumming, vocalizations and dancing.
The performances this week are a unique opportunity for viewers, as they will feature the collaborative efforts of the troupe with various artists from traditional Pueblos and tribes of New Mexico. Joining the "Naa Kahidi" are the elders, tradition bearers, storytellers, musicians, dancers and visual artists, all of whom are members of the group "Coyote Gathers His People."
The focus of the collaboration is to present the mythological figures of the Raven and the Coyote.
The figure of the Raven is rich in its history -- the telling of its stories has spanned from the Northwest rain forests to the Alaskan interior and across the Canadian Arctic.
The Raven is quite a character -- a bit of a trickster and clown, but also a godlike figure who manages to symbolize the relationship between mankind and our world. Tales about the Raven which will be performed include "The Box of Daylight," which is about how the Raven stole the moon and stars from the Great Chief to bring light into the world.
The Coyote is an equally important mythological figure, but does not share the same origins. Beginning in the Southwestern states, hundreds of tales have been written about him. They range from sad to comical, differing in mood while sharing the same sacred message and teaching a valuable historical lesson.
The collaboration began when "Naa Kahidi" Artistic Director Dave Hunsaker began working with Larry Littlebird, a prominent story teller in New Mexico. They have carefully chosen the stories to be performed. The mix of the academic importance of such a project and the spiritual value of retelling these tales in such a setting is tremendous.
Both night's performances will be in the Moore Theater at 8 p.m., and tickets are $14.50 for undergraduates.
