TALE 96
The Animal Dance of Nana-bo-jou
For this we need a Nana-bo-jou; that is, a grown-up who can drum and sing. He has a drum and drumstick, and a straw or paper club; also two goblins, these are good-sized boys or girls wearing ugly masks, or at least black hoods with two eyeholes, made as hideous as possible; and any number of children, from three or four up, for animals. If each has the marks, colours, etc., of some bird or beast, so much the better.
First, Nana-bo-jou is seen chasing the children around the outside of the circle, trying to catch one to eat; but failing, thinks he'll try a trick and he says: "Stop, stop, my brothers. Why should we quarrel? Come, let's hold a council together and I will teach you a new dance."
The animals whisper together and the Coyote comes forward, barks, then says:
"Nana-bo-jou, I am the Coyote. The animals say that they will come to council if you will really make peace and play no tricks."
"Tricks!" says Nana-bo-jou, "I only want to teach you the new songs from the South."
Then all the animals troop in and sit in a circle. Nana-bo-jou takes his drum and begins to sing:
"New songs from the South, my brothers,
Dance to the new songs."
Turning to one, he says: "Who are you and what can you dance?"
The answers are, "I am the Beaver [or whatever it is] and I can dance the Beaver Dance."