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Painting of a Navajo Social Dance called N'daa.
Artist Anon. |
Concerning the male in Dine' culture, the Song and Dance gathering is where I see the most perpetuation of ADORNMENT. I adore this painting of a Navajo social dance scene as the artist is depicting the clothing customs of male and female and the general style of the dance itself.
Today, the Navajo Song and Dance is very much still a social event for the People to perpetuate Dine' cultural traditions, yet it is very much about contest dancing for money and prizes. But, the origins of the dance are grounded in the Navajo N'daa, which is part of the Enemyway Ceremony. This part of the gathering was in many was a time for young Navajo people who were unmarried to socialize. In this tradition the dance was women's choice, so she was able to pick who she wanted to dance with. In many ways this tradition was worthwhile in preserving Dine' customs of clanship as the women were able to find out what the clans were of the males they dance with a sacred courtship ritual.
I commend those Dine' individuals who put the social dance up front in their paths. I love going to attend the Dine' Song and Dance, I suppose I have some preference for the gathering, as I been a participant in the Song and Dance arena in the past.
Doola do' nizhoni da!
Navajo singer Davis Mitchell is singing at the Tuba City Western Navajo Fair:
