Cry for Luck: Sacred Song and Speech Among the Yurok, Hupa, and Karok Indians of Northwestern California

The title of Richard Keeling's study, "Cry for Luck," refers to the sobbing vocal quality in many traditional songs of northwestern California Indian tribes. He inventories 216 specific forms of medicine and explains the cosmological beliefs on which they were founded. This music is a living tradition, and many of the public dances he describes are still performed today. Keeling's comparative, historical perspective shows how individual elements in the musical tradition can relate to the development of local cultures and the broader sphere of North American prehistory.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

The rich and emotional vocal style found in many traditional songs of the indigenous tribes in northwest California has deeply influenced the title of Richard Keeling's comprehensive study. Despite the limited knowledge about the music of the aboriginal Californians, "Cry for Luck" will undoubtedly be embraced by those who view music as a vital gateway to understanding other facets of Native American religion and culture.

Among the Yurok, Hupa, and Karok peoples, medicine songs and spoken formulas were employed for a wide array of activities, ranging from hunting deer to alleviating digestive issues or exerting influence over a disinterested member of the opposite sex. Keeling meticulously documented 216 distinct forms of medicine, providing insights into the cosmological beliefs that underpinned them. It is worth noting that this music is a living tradition, and many of the public dances described by Keeling are still performed today. Through his comparative and historical lens, Keeling demonstrates how individual elements within the musical tradition can connect to the development of local cultures and the broader realm of North American prehistory.

"Cry for Luck" is proudly presented as part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, a testament to the university press's unwavering commitment to seeking out and nurturing the most brilliant minds. With a backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived employs print-on-demand technology to make high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again. Originally published in 1992, this title continues to resonate with scholars and enthusiasts alike, contributing to the ongoing exploration and appreciation of Native American culture and history.

Weight: 635g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520357754