Diamond Chapter 1 Summary

In Chapter 1, "Traditions of Knowledge: Indigenous Knowledge and the Western Music School," Diamond discusses how there are three main themes that are incorporated throughout the book. Diamond explains that traditional indigenous knowledge (TIK), encounter, and indigenous modernity must be utilized when learning about Native American music because Native American music is different from the traditional western view of music.  In order to learn and understand Native American music, it is key that outsiders understand the traditional indigenous knowledge that is connected with a given song or dance, and we must also take into consideration observations and values of the people on a local level and to avoid generalizing because Native American music is culturally diverse.  Thus it is also crucial to be aware of the inter-relationships that the music has to the place and the environment.  Once we are able to incorporate these three main themes in our studies of Native American music, we can begin to learn and understand the diversity among Native American people in North America.