“The drum represents the heartbeat of the earth,” explains Joanna Diindiisikwe
Simmons, the performer of this beautiful rendition of, “Strong Women's Song.” Eddie Benton Benai echoes this idea in the documentary, "Tribal Histories, Ojibwe Music," referring to the drum as, "...the hearbeat of the people." The hand drum itself is made of animal hide, (often deer or elk,) stretched over a wooden circle frame, and is tightened or loosened by the percussionist, who holds and manipulates the laced hide strings in the back which in turn, affects the, "pitch, sound and timbre of the drum." (Tribal Histories)
This piece of music may be considered a modern traditional song, dating back to the early 1970s, when women with Indigenous heritage, (Anishinabe kwewog and Zhoganosh kwewog,) were held in solitary confinement in Kingston, Ontario. Kwewag (pronounced "kway-wug") is an Ojibwe word that means, "women." The word kwe in Ojibwe means "woman" or "life-giver." Oral tradition places the origin of the Ojibwe people, also known as Anishinabe, in the Great Lakes region of North America, gradually migrating 'westward over time and settling around the shores of Lake Superior...eventually encompassing parts of present-day Canada and the United States." (canoe.csumc.wise.edu)
There are some variations of this song, some with additional lyrics or changes in melody. It can also be found with slight changes to the title, such as, 'Strong Woman' or "Strong Women's' song. This version may have originated from an older, "Cree Owl Sweat Lodge Song."
This soaring performance offers these lyrics/sounds:
Way hey hey.. ya hey yo ho ...ya hey yo ho hey hey ya hey yo...ya hey yo hey hey ya hey yo
Way hey hey.. ya hey yo ho ...ya hey yo ho hey hey ya hey yo...ya hey yo hey hey ya hey yo
Way hey hey.. ya hey yo ho ...ya hey yo ho hey hey ya hey yo...ya hey yo hey hey ya hey yo
Way hey hey.. ya hey yo ho ...ya hey yo ho hey hey ya hey yo...ya hey yo hey hey ya hey yo
(Transcription borrowed from Lacey Warrior and adapted to fit this performance by MTM 2024.)
Joanna Diindiisikwe Simmons, the artist demonstrating the piece here, offered some notes into this performance writing, "The first drum beat that is heard is inside the womb, so the drum holds a lot of significance. This is a traditional Ojibwe song that gives women strength. Before singing, we beat the drum four times, to acknowledge the four directions. And when I am singing, I sing to all directions. Songs are also considered medicine in Anishnaabe (Ojibwe) culture. "
The Strong Women's Song was created by women, for women, as a means to inspire strength. courage and empowerment. "This song emerged as a way of staying alive, ...of supporting eachother...Many women in P4W lost their lives because of the horrendous conditions there. We sing this song to honour them, and all women." Nancy Stevens
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Musicians Teach Music Inc. thanks musician Joanna Diindiisikwe Simmons, who is Ojibwe and settler from Ontario, Canada - with maternal ties to Saugeen tract treaty 45 1/2. Gratitude for performance permissions from 'Music on the Bruce' Festival, Ontario Canada.
Additional Resources:
Interesting note, a new book (August 2024) by Daniel J. Levitin, "I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, Music as Medicine" illustrates this amazing power music has to ease, and at times help in the healing process of many various conditions, ailments and diseases. Synopsis here: Music as Medicine
