weaving Voices 01.04.2025 issuu - Flipbook - Page 41
Khert’lis Naduri
Exercise in collective singing and weaving
This exercise can be applied to any work song with a call-and-
Oi nani da nanaa, khertalma kheli damgala Oi, nani da nana, the spindle has rubbed my hand sore
Oi nani da nana, khertalma kheli dangala Oi, nani da nana, the spindle has rubbed my hand sore
Oi nani da nanaa, khertalgasatekhelmao Oi, nani da nana, if only the spindle would break
Oi nani da nana, khertalgasatekhelmao Oi, nani da nana, if only the spindle would break
During the weaving and singing,
the lyrics would change, for example to this:
Oi nani da-nanaa, I will weave a tree in green
Oi nani da-nana, she will weave a tree in green
Oi nani da-naanaa, how do I make the knot again?
Oi nani da-naana, how does he make the knot again?
response structure. It is essential for everyone in the group to be
familiar with the structure of the song and the melody. A repetitive
introduction allows any participant to signal to the group that it is
their turn, encouraging everyone to listen attentively. Following the
intro, the person improvises a new sentence based on the song’s
melody, maintaining a similar number of syllables. The group then
repeatedly chants the introduction and the improvised sentence.
While there is room for creative freedom to modify the syllable count
by one, more or less to fit the melody, it will be a greater challenge
for the group to repeat the improvised sentence in perfect unison.
The call-and-response structure of work songs is not only
empowering but also mentally stimulating for each participant.
Actively listening to the sung instructions and repeating them while
simultaneously continuing with the weaving process keeps the mind
and hands engaged. The singing encourages individuals to take
the initiative in crafting new sentences within the structure and
melody of the song. This call-and-response dynamic strengthens the
collective spirit of a group as participants listen and repeat together,
all the while carrying out the weaving, in unison. It creates a way of
working together in which no one leads or directs. Instead, each
individual has the opportunity to briefly step into the conductor’s
role by introducing their improvised sentence during the singing.
This playful exchange of roles among participants alleviates the
weight of responsibility typically associated with being a leader or
conductor. It also can bring a sense of enlightened joy to the process
of weaving.
Collaborating without crossing borders
The collective weaving, in combination with using the voice, again
played a big role in our project week in Leeds, as a part of Leeds
City of Culture 2023. The weaving took place within the installation
Making a Stand on Leeds City Square (historically, the geographical
place of the old Forest of Leodis, to which the architectural
installation related with a grid of large wooden planks). For the
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