Navajo Song and Dance

Navajo Song and Dance in Shiprock, NM
Photo credit: Venaya J. Yazzie 2015
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This past weekend the northern Navajo community in New Mexico celebrated their harvests and welcomed in the Navajo New Year, Ghaajii. The Navajo YeiBeChei danced too, for presence and for healing and strength.

Among the many events happening during the Northern Navajo Nation Fair in Shiprock, NM was the Navajo Song and Dance. This photo showcases the Dine' or Navajo people dressed in their finest cultural clothing and Navajo silverwork and turquoise jewelry adornments.

The Navajo Song and Dance is a social dance with has been adapted as a women's choice dance from the ceremonial rituals of the Enemyway. The woman chooses her partner to dance with and usually prefers Navajo males who are 'dressed to impress' - so if they want to dance they should dress appropriately. It is also a dance that includes all generations of Navajo people from children to the Navajo elders.

This is my favorite time of the year as many of the Navajo dances and ceremonial life take precedence across the sovereign Dine' Nation in the southwest.

Blessings.