Mus 208 Videos Responses For Video

The Irish were oppressed by the British for hundreds of years. Many British rulers prevented people from speaking Irish, and traditoinal instruments were often banned. There are now more Irish people in the U.S. than in Ireland. In the U.S., Irish music is often celebrated as an important part of America's European roots.

Watch the Chieftains and Riverdance examples, and answer the following:

1. What does Irish folk music and dance say about its people?
The Irish folk music and dance reveal a constant shifting of population through migration and invasions. Each of these peoples brought their preferred types of dance and music.
2. How did Irish folk music and dance survive through ages of cultural repression?

Question 2 The Rom, often known as Gypsies, are nomadic people who originated in India. They have always lived on the fringes of society, with most Europeas mistrusting them and blaming them for problems. Musically, the Rom have been an important means of the spread of musical styles and instruments. The scenes I have selected from the film "Latcho Drom" show a few of the places that the Ro are important to: India, Romania, Poland, France, and Spain.

Watch all of the "Latcho Drom" videos, then answer the following questions:

1. What instruments and musical sounds are common to all or most of the examples?

2. What do you notice about the Rom children?

3. Name one positive and one negative aspect of life as a gypsy.