A Historical Overview of Native American, Rivercane Flutes.
These handcrafted flutes are most often made from a type of wild grass, known as river cane. River cane grass once prospered along the banks of nearly every waterway throughout the Southeastern United States. Known as i-hy’a in the Cherokee language, river cane provided indigenous peoples in the region with an important resource for making baskets, blowguns, flutes, arrows, spears, and much, much more. River cane is often confused with its closest grass relative, bamboo, which was most likely, first brought to this country by Asian immigrants.
The traditional end-blown, two-chambered flute, with either 5 or 6 holes, is believed by many musicologists to be the same style that was made and most favored by native peoples throughout the Southeast, prior to European contact. Often made with only two or three holes, these flutes were often used to cast spells and confuse opponents (very often enemy tribes) during the intense stickball games, also known as “The Little Brother of War’’, between the indigenous people of the region.
"Thanks for helping us make the flutes - I have never made anything that looked and sounded so beautiful. I cannot wait to teach my little sister how to make one!" - Karson, 5th grade student.
The Cherokee People of the Southeastern United States speak of this instrument as a gift from Woodpecker, while certain tribes of the American Southwest credit Kokopelli, the humpbacked flute-player, with having brought this wonderful gift to the People. In the Great Plains region, the Lakota and Cheyenne referred to it as the “love” flute, and young men and women relied upon its charm and magic during courtship. Regardless of who brought the first flute to the People, we are most certainly grateful for its gift!
During the residency, under Hawk’s tutelage, the students will learn the historical and cultural uses of gourds by people across the world. Gourds have always played an important role in the lives of human beings all over the world. The original “first container”, gourds possibly led to the development of net bags, basketry, and even primitive pottery. Students will also become familiar with botanical information, learning about pollination and that gourds are fruits because they have seeds inside them. Students will first clean off their gourds, then they will open them up using a tool called an awl. Next they will clean out the insides, and proceed to create their drum, rattle, or other gourd crafts.
"Thank you for coming to Sewee Center to bring the wonderful gift that you have for flute making. The audience was absolutely fascinated by your skill with the rivercane and your beautiful, Native American flute playing." - Rebecca Ashley, Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center.
The goals of this residency are:
• Using the activity of creating flutes to teach cooperative skills, safety, and an appreciation of the values and mores of indigenous peoples.
• Reinforcing the curriculum of the young people by stressing the: botanical elements of the activity (the rivercane itself); the history and social studies elements (who are the people who traditionally make these flutes and how and why do they make and play them); the language arts elements (storytelling and its relationship to musical storytelling); the mathematical element (calculating the placement for the finger holes); and the musical elements (hearing and learning to play a different type of musical form).
• Allowing the students to have fun while experiencing an art form that has ancient roots in the culture of the Native American tribes of the Southeastern United States.
Articles about Hawk Hurst
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Stories for Life
Stories for Life is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to teaching children the art of storytelling. The flagship program, "Owning Their Words", is a language arts curriculum that enables children to develop their oral and written skills through storytelling. Hawk Hurst is a qualified Stories for Life member and storytelling instructor.
Developed in conjunction with South Carolina State Education Standards, "Owning Their Words" is a powerful teaching tool that fosters an appreciation for the oral tradition, while at the same time, profoundly enhancing student's ability to become more effective communicators.
Through guided discussions, exercises, and games, students learn:
• the interactive value of the storytelling experience.
• the significance of oral traditions.
• the importance of character development in the creation of a story.
• the technical aspects of storytelling.
• how to transition from oral storytelling to a written composition.
Students progress from group storytelling to a final performance in which each child shares his or her own storytelling skills. To learn more Contact Hawk.
"As a teacher I believe that learning takes place best if lessons are complimented with stories. Each day that Hawk spent with our students he shared his marvelous stories. I have never seen children with such wide eyes – eyes filled with wonder, excitement, and sheer joy. The excitement and animation that Hawk brings to each story and song stimulates the imagination of children and adults alike. Most importantly, Hawks stories go a step beyond entertaining – they have encouraged the children I teach to become storytellers, to create their own stories, and to explore the cultures from which his stories originated. As an educator, I could ask for no more!" - Jon, Durham, Teacher and Director, Montessori School.
"As president of several storytelling and community organizations, I have worked with Hawk on numerous occasions. He presents an accomplished, polished performance, incorporating music in with his stories, and always leaving the audience wanting more!" - Dianne Hackworth, Professional Storyteller.
This hands-on residency will provide each student with a chance to create a unique musical instrument or gourd craft. Instructor, Hawk Hurst has been crafting sharing his joy of gourd crafts for nearly two decades.
Choices for you and your class include:
Gourd Maracas/Rattles:(best for 1st grade through 5th grade).
Gourd Udu Drums: (Best for 4th grade and up) NOTE: no animal skins are used with this type of drum.
Storygourds: (Best for 4th grade and up) NOTE: This involves more detailed art time.
Bird houses and bird feeders, bowls and containers, canteens and dippers: (Best for 3rd grade and up)
During the residency, under Hawk’s tutelage, the students will learn the historical and cultural uses of gourds by people across the world. Students will also become familiar with botanical information, learning about pollination and that gourds are fruits because they have seeds inside them. Students will first clean off their gourds, then they will open them up using a tool called an awl. Next they will clean out the insides, and proceed to create their drum, rattle, or other gourd crafts.
Participants will have an opportunity to decorate their gourds with stone pigments, relying upon ancient artistic techniques developed and refined by early, Native American inhabitants of this region. The differences between petroglyphs, pictographs, and petroforms will also be examined and students will have several of books to look through with these type of designs.
"The genuine interest Hawk shows in the success of each student is remarkable. His answers to questions are thought provoking and open ended. I strongly recommend Hawk to anyone wishing to work with a gentle, wise, and professional cultural arts educator." - Shelton Wilder, Art Teacher, Watauga High School, Boone, NC.
Upon completion, they will be provided group and individual instruction on how to play some traditional West African and Native American songs with their gourds and/or drums.
During the Gourd Musical instrument making residencies, Hawk always sets up his EARTH Band Traveling Museum - a large collection of rattles, shakers, maracas, and bells from around the world. Students who finish early are encouraged to explore these items with their eyes, hands, and minds. Questions posed: What are they made from? Where did they come from? How many are made using gourds?
"The week long activities were a direct reinforcement of what we were discussing and doing in our class. The students had an excellent experience of being able to make and play their own musical instruments in a most traditional way." - Scott Turnmyre, Music Teacher, Ashe Central High School, Jefferson, NC.
The goals of this residency are:
• Using the activity of creating unique musical instruments and crafts from gourds, to teach cooperative skills, safety, and an appreciation of the values and mores of indigenous peoples.
• Reinforcing the curriculum of the young people by stressing the: botanical elements of the activity (what is a gourd? pollination and life cycles; the history and social studies elements (who are the people who traditionally made these instruments/crafts and how and why do they make and play them); the language arts elements (storytelling and its relationship to musical storytelling); and the musical elements (hearing and learning to play a different type of musical form).
• Allowing the students to have fun while experiencing an art form that has ancient roots cultures all around the world.
The Ancient Art of Storytelling
“It is fascinating to recognize that the oldest art form in the world is the Art of Storytelling. Storytelling predates art as sketched or painted pictures, or art as dance, or art as music. Storytelling was the first of all, the parent art form for all of these. The telling of a story around the glow of a neolithic fire inspired the desire to re-create the tale on the wall of a cave or cliff as petroglyphs; to record the events of the tribe. The telling of a tall tale, perhaps the wild adventure of the hunt, inspired a pantomime to recount brave deeds as warriors leapt and danced while the clan sat spellbound, huddled in the grip of winter. Perhaps, hearing the tale, people were drawn to clap and murmur as the story was told, thus creating sounds that eventually became song and music. It is remarkable to think that the Art of storytelling continues today to enthrall its audience as much as it did so long ago. Through the Art of Storytelling, the wisdom of the ages, the humor of life, the lessons we are here to learn - all are imparted in a dramatic way that captivates us and inspires others to grow, to create, and to understand this amazing Life we are living.” - Hawk Hurst
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Bookings & Orders
Hawk Hurst
16 Halsey Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-2821 E-MAIL
