At 7:00 p.m. the men of the Burnurwurbskek Dummers will join their sister dancers for a performance on the Bingham stage.

Since time immemorial the Penawaskewi (Penobscot) along with their neighboring brothers and sisters, collectively called the Wabanaki, have passed down their creation stories, traditional knowledge, heritage and songs to the subsequent generations. Most of the to be songs performed by the Burnurwurbskek Singers are originated from medicine & individual vision quest ceremonies, casual and formal gatherings, blessing ceremonies for the annual harvests and their corresponding moons, for their warriors going out to battle, hunters leaving for their family hunting grounds, and also honor songs for their mothers and children.

The core group consists of Dean Francis, Nick Francis and his two sons, Ron Bear and his two sons, Nick and Cree Bear, John Neptune, Rob Dana and his brother Barry Dana. Traditionally hand and water drummers, they were introduced to the larger, western style drum back in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Since then, they have been performing their traditional Penobscot and Wabanaki songs for audiences across Maine and many other states. Female dancers will also perform in striking traditional costumes. We are able to bring this group into the Mountain Arts Performance Series due to a Maine Community Foundation Arts Expansion grant awarded to the Mahoosuc Arts Council for a collaborative project with the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce in 2013.

"....performer Dean Francis he said that they were 'drumming from their toes.... Rather than clap, what the Burnurwurbskek Singers prompted me to was to..... reflect upon the strength and bravery of those who labor to help their children remain proud of their heritage and their community to stay together," Dr. Patricia Pierce Erikson, Cultural Anthropologist

www.penobscotculture.com 

www.mahoosucarts.org 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi7x4sGEITU 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkeV-u0SERY 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaatBrLL3hc