Previously, we shared our excitement about the drum group Red Oak Singers coming to our event at the end of this month. Due to some unforeseen changes they’re unable to come, but don’t despair because we’ve got NaMaWoChi coming!
NaMaWoChi gets its name from the first letters of the words Native, Man, Woman and Child. They have played at many of our past events and are a “southern” style drum. Southern Style music is typically sung in a lower pitch and slower beat than Northern style music and is somewhat more reserved.
NaMaWoChi began singing and drumming for the people in 2008. During that year they were the first Native American Drum to be invited to Arlington National Cemetery to drum on Veterans Day. They have performed a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and were the first North Carolina Native American Drum to be Sponsored by the American Indian Association.
NaMaWoChi’s members are Harland Richardson, Mike Smith, Rick Kelly, Edward Branch, Tracey Coleman, Joshua McAllister, Jeff Hardy, Charles Lynch, David Overton, Jerrell Richardson. Many of NaMaWoChi’s songs are written by lead singer Harlan Richardson. All songs are written in the Tuscarora language with an English translation included in the song to allow people to understand the meaning of the words in the song. While a “southern” drum, their style and voice are unique and unforgettable. They say “without a Drum, there is no music. Without music, there is no dancing”. So come, join us and listen to the drum and dance to the heartbeat of the earth.