Dance, Pray, Speak, Sing: Chickasaw Culture Makes You Healthier

Dance is an essential part of Chickasaw tradition. Stomp dances were part of Chickasaws’ ceremonies to gather, give thanks, pray and renew themselves for tasks ahead. Apart from the obvious physical benefits of the dance itself, participating in this rich Chickasaw tradition benefits you in many other ways.

Historically, dances were when people gathered to pray, purify themselves and celebrate. Dances were held around a sacred fire in the middle of the village. The social and stomp dances were opportunities for the dancers to offer their prayers to the Creator and have the smoke from the central fire carry those prayers upward.

The tikbayka (lead singer) led the dancers in the song and movement to pray, give thanks, honor the sacredness of all creation and celebrate the gifts of the Creator. 

The women dancers wore loksi' shaali (turtle shakers) around their ankles to keep the rhythm of the dance.

 

There were social dance songs and stomp dance songs. The social dance songs were primarily for gathering the community and celebrating together. The stomp dance songs were usually associated with particular ceremonies, like the Green Corn Ceremony. Many of the songs and dances were shared among most of the Southeastern tribes.

The Garfish Song

One dance song believed to be uniquely Chickasaw is the nani' kallo' hilha' (hard fish or garfish) song. This song honors the garfish that was often used for food. Songs about animals were meant to give thanks for and honor the animals, which were important to the clans and for the people's sustenance.

Garfish Song Lyrics

Nani' kallo' sipokni' (Old garfish)

Amimpa cholana (My good food)

Chiowwatala'chi (I will hunt you)

Chiapala'chi (I will eat you)

Chinoti (Your teeth)

Ishtkallila 'chi (I will use for scratching)

Nani' kallo' sipokni' (Old garfish)

Dances, then, are physically active and spiritually centering. Participating in Chickasaw dance traditions is a way to connect with Chickasaw culture and to benefit physically and spiritually. AYA users connect with these traditions as the partners tell their stories of participating in dances. Even though you are not participating in the dance itself, by walking with AYA and hearing the stories about the dances, you can benefit both physically and spiritually.

Language and Songs Positively Impact Your Health

Speaking Chikashshanompa' (Chickasaw language) can also positively affect health. Several studies over the past two decades show that speaking one’s Indigenous language can improve physical, mental and spiritual health. An article in The Lancet from 2009 says, “Language is crucial to identity, health, and relations. It is especially important as a link to spirituality, an essential component of Indigenous health … Language revitalisation [sic.] can be seen, therefore, as a health promotion strategy” (King, Smith, & Gracey, 2009).

Chickasaw words, prayers and songs unlocked in AYA are links to Chickasaw culture and spirituality. By listening to these resources and learning even a few phrases of Chickasaw, you are connecting to the emotional and spiritual power of Chickasaw culture. This cultural connection will impact you mentally, emotionally and spiritually, which helps you be physically healthier as well.

Chickasaws and others who know even some Chickasaw words help to keep the language alive. Chickasaw culture continues to live, thrive and strengthen Chickasaws and the whole of society as long as our language survives to express what it means to be Chickasaw. The features in AYA that help users learn Chikashshanompa' keep our language, our culture and our bodies and souls vital and healthier. This is another way the Chickasaw Nation has invested in the health and well-being of Chickasaws everywhere.

Dance, Pray, Speak, Sing and Step Up Your Fitness with AYA Today

If you are not an AYA user, download the app and start walking with us today. If you are already an AYA user, be sure you are getting the most out of your fitness journey with us by using all the features in the app. You can find out about all AYA’s features and answer questions about how the app works by visiting AYAWalk.com.

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Make your fitness journey more successful by walking every day with AYA.

Anowa chipisala'cho (until we meet again),

- The AYA Walk Team

References

King, M., Smith, A., & Gracey, M. (2009). Indigenous health part 2: the underlying causes of the health gap. The Lancet, 374, 76-85.