"The following five songs represent a very widespread 'recent' tradition among practically all American Indian tribes. The songs contain English words interspersed with Indian vocables or burden syllables. The themes of the songs deal primarily with Euro-American romantic love and are considered by some to represent the Indian's sarcastic re-interpretation of the love-theme.
"No precise locus for their origin has been fixed, though they may have originated among the Plains groups and diffused to all of the other tribes. They are of great current popularity and are used as dance songs in numerous instances.
"This informant uses the Tewa word pachala in referring to them. The word means 'dance song.'"
"Performed during the month of August, after the Home dance (Nieman), and is considered to be a social dance. Both men and women may participate. the dancers do not sing for this ceremony; a special group of singers, known as tawcovawtaqam provide the singing."
