Folk and Traditional Arts

The following documentaries were produced by North Dakota Council on the Arts in partnership with Prairie Public Broadcasting, the Bush Foundation, and the Spirit Room Gallery.

A Lyrical Life: The Struggle and Hope of South Sudan: This documentary introduces people to the culture, history, music, and dance of the Ma’di people of southern Sudan and northern Uganda. Through three traditional songs, the issues associated with the struggle of South Sudan are revealed; centuries-old conflicts over religion, slavery, race, genocide, displacement, war, and refugee status. “Hope” refers to the reconciliation process taking place in Africa and in America in places like North Dakota where the featured musicians now live. 

• Kalendo is a track and music video from the enhanced CD Achikadidi: Traditional Ma’di Music of Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda produced by the North Dakota Council on the Arts in 2003. The song was a favorite of Ma’di militiamen who fought in the 1980s in Sudan’s civil war. It describes the weariness of war and the desire to return to a life of farming. Watch the YouTube video via this link.

God Given: Cultural Treasures of Armenia: The exquisite metal repoussé artistry and life experiences of National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship recipient Norik Astvatsaturov, formerly of Baku, Azerbaijan, now an American citizen in Wahpeton, North Dakota, reflect in microcosm the history and culture of Armenia. Armenia is an ancient country in Eurasia’s mountainous Transcaucasian region within an area often referred to as the ‘Cradle of Civilization.’ Because of its position as a crossroads between East and West, Christian and Muslim, Armenia’s existence is marked throughout by turbulent occupation and persecution stemming, in part, from cultural and religious intolerance.

Sympathetic Strings. Pioneer/PBS states, “In Sympathetic Strings, we meet fiddle makers, musicians, dancers and apprentices from throughout Minnesota to form a passionate, close-knit community of folk tradition practice surrounding the Hardanger fiddle.”  The documentary centers on master Norwegian Hardanger fiddle maker and player Robert “Bud” Larsen, who was born in Mandan, ND, grew up in Fargo, ND, and is now living in Brainerd, MN, and three of his North Dakota Hardanger-making apprentices Aaran Joneson (formerly of Fargo, ND), Ruth Dramstad (Hardwood, ND), and Sara Smith (Fargo, ND).  All three apprentices participated in NDCA’s Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. Produced by Pioneer/PBS out of Minnesota.

Turtle and Pretty Crane: This documentary features renowned Mandan and Hidatsa storyteller and flute player Keith Bear from Drags Wolf Village on the Forth Berthold Indian Reservation of northwestern North Dakota. The traditional story told is included also in greater detail on the NDCA-produced CD Morning Star Whispered. The narrative is described by Keith as an American Indian “Romeo and Juliet.”

The Woman Who Turned Herself to Stone: This documentary features renowned Dakotah and Hidatsa storyteller and National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship recipient Mary Louise Defender Wilson from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation of southcentral North Dakota. The traditional story told is included also in greater detail on the NDCA-produced CD The Elders Speak. The narrative describes what happens to a young girl who dearly loves nature and who helps people to this day.   

• The Story of the Fawn: This short video features renowned Dakotah and Hidatsa storyteller Mary Louise Defender Wilson from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation of southcentral North Dakota.