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Omaha Indians have no particular traditions of music entertainment. Their musical orientation was largely spiritual, performed usually in groups in a ritual setting important to their religion. The Hethu?shka constituted the warrior class of the Omaha tribes, much like the Kshatriya caste of ancient Hindustan. Theirs was, and is again, a highly regarded rank, since the Omaha Indians place great value on valor and distinction in battle. There were distinct parameters for membership to the Hethu?shka Society - the candidate had to have earned public honor with his exploits. As such, this is the warrior elite and has great influence on matters pertaining to the tribe as a whole. Naturally, their music and dances reflect their orientation and status. The fabled Warpath has become a highly modified concept in modern times, and the Hethu?shka Society stood as good as disbanded for a long time. However, it was eventually recognized that the values it stands for are the very essence of Omaha Indian culture, and the Hethu?shka Society has witnessed a revival of sorts. This time around, it is entrusted with the general welfare of the Omaha people and the preservation of their culture. The 13 songs included on the Hethu'shka Society Concert CD from A2ZCDS are set to dances traditionally performed to commemorate definite events in the lives of Omaha Indians. They were originally compiled between 1895 and 1910 in wax cylinder format by ethnologist Alice Cunningham Fletcher and Francis La Flesche, scion of an Omaha Chief. There is a refreshing rustic aura surrounding these songs, and the listener derives a definite sense of cultural history from the experience. The selection includes songs of love, songs dedicating the harvest, funeral songs and various others. This CD is highly recommended to students of ethnic sociology and American cultural history.