July 12, 2013
Immerse yourself in the Diné way of life at the 64th Navajo Festival of Arts & Culture on Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4, at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
More than 80 Navajo artists, musicians, dancers and cultural experts will travel to the museum from all corners of the Navajo Nation to share their traditions through artistic expression. Silversmiths, jewelers, painters, weavers, folk carvers and multi-generations of families will be on site to discuss the customs inspiring their work. To describe themselves, Navajos use the word Diné, meaning “The People” or “Children of the Holy People.”
The festival supports what the Navajo call “hozho” — living a happy and wise long life, in balance and harmony with the earth and sky.
“We hope to foster cross cultural understanding and provide insights into how Navajo people see their world,” says Robert Breunig, director, Museum of Northern Arizona. “We explore the customs and practices families are using to keep traditions strong.”
Visitors will experience weaving on looms, sand painting in action, Churro Sheep, pottery demonstrations, Hoop Dancing, the pageantry of Navajo social dances and musical performances.
The scent of red and green chili stew, roasted sweet corn, Navajo tacos and fry bread will fill the air.
Besides artist booths, one-of-a-kind consigned art pieces including pottery, paintings, weavings, and baskets from artisans across the Navajo Nation will be on display and for sale. Consigned pieces are eligible for entry in the juried portion of the festival.
Heritage Insight Programs
Heritage Insight Programs support the 2013 festival theme of sustaining the traditions of the Navajo land, language and culture:
Theresa Boone Schuler, a Diné educator from Flagstaff will lead the very popular ethnobotany walks along the Museum’s Rio de Flag Nature Trail and discuss the traditional Navajo uses of regional native plants. Schuler gained her knowledge from her father, a noted Diné herbalist who urged her to pass on the knowledge of traditional healing plants by teaching about identification and usage.
Larry King, Navajo linguist, joins the festival again this year to share his wisdom and desire for teaching the Diné language. King gives a basic introduction of the Navajo language that includes enlightening reflections of the Diné culture in Navajo and English. Travel a verbal path of history and legend as King illustrates how Navajos use humor to cope. Geared to all age levels and Navajo and non-Navajo speakers.
Watch a sand painting being created by Hosteen Etsitty. He uses natural colors to depict Navajo deities, animals, plants and planetary beings. He’ll discuss how the ancient art form is intended to restore harmony. Etsitty learned the art of Navajo sand painting at age 17 from elders within the spiritual community. He has since been perfecting the art that is an integral part of the Navajo culture and Navajo healing ceremonies.
Learn about weaving traditions with Ann Hedlund, director of Arizona State Museum’s Gloria F. Ross Tapestry Program at the University of Arizona. She will discuss how the Navajo weaving process is passed from family to family. Combining her fieldwork among contemporary Navajo weavers and her research into many museums’ 19th Century blanket and rug collections, she also will explore the issue of sustainability as reflected in this dynamic art form.
The Navajo relationship to sacred places is featured in a Navajo and English talk by Anthropologist Klara Kelly and Navajo cultural expert Harris Francis. The two present their research from interviewing Navajo traditionalists on Navajo sacred spaces, land preservation and efforts to sustain Navajo language and Culture. They speak in both English and Navajo.
Barbara Lacy, author of Nanisé, A Navajo Herbal: One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation, will use late 1800s photographs in her presentation featuring how Navajos historically used what grew in nature to make belongings such as pottery, wicker pot, rugs, looms and moccasins. Lacy shares her own collection of handmade Navajo items.
Heritage Insight Tent Performances
James Bilagody, Navajo singer, songwriter, comedian and actor is Cultural Interpreter for the Heritage Insights tent. Bilagody will introduce performers and speakers using history, humor and stories to explore the Navajo culture throughout the day.
World Champion hoop dancer and traditional healer Jones Benally, his daughter Jeneda, son Clayson, and two young grandchildren form the Jones Benally Family Dancers. These three generations together bring the healing power, beauty, and profound messages of Diné culture to educate and uplift audiences around the globe.
A mix of Native rock, punk and world music will impact the stage with the band Sihasin, powered by Jeneda and Clayson Benally. Bass and drums with vocal harmonies give way to Navajo singing and melody that inspires people to stand up for their rights. Originally from Black Mesa on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, they were born into the heart of a political land dispute separating them by a fence from traditional homeland and family. They grew up protesting the environmental degradation and inhumane acts against their traditional way of life and sacred places. Selections include a modern rendition of Woody Guthrie protest folk music.
Radmilla Cody brings her “bluebird” voice to the festival stage with performances sung in English and in Navajo. This traditional Navajo Canyon Records recording artist, Indie Award Winner, Native American Music Award Winner and international performer, continues to maintain Navajo culture by recording music that children and elders can sing in pride.
The Dineh Tah’ Navajo Dancers will delight audiences with dances depicting important times in Navajo life. Dances will include the Sash Belt Dance that tells the Navajo Spider Woman story of the super-human being who introduced weaving to the people. A big hit with the audience is the Basket Blessing Dance, representing beauty. It symbolizes the home and is the central item used to consummate a traditional Navajo wedding. The design of the basket is of ancient origin, which depicts the journey of the people from the four under-worlds and their arrival in to the fifth world.
And Aaron White, songwriter, guitarist and Navajo flute player and carver, will perform some new material inspired by his Navajo and Ute roots. White has played everywhere from a presidential inaugural ball to a benefit concert at Arizona’s San Francisco Peaks. He founded the Grammy-nominated group, Burning Sky and is known for his fingerpicking guitar style and passion for songwriting.
Additional Festival Activities
“This year we are excited to have key weavers demonstrating on site,” says Anne Doyle, Heritage Program manager. “I encourage people to watch this beautiful art form in action while you have the opportunity.”
Weaving demonstrations include Vivian Descheney known for her distinctive Ganado, Two Grey Hills, Chief Blanket and Burntwater designs. Marlowe Katoney will be weaving his rugs that use contemporary images such as “Angry Birds” designs.
The current “Diamonds in Wool: Ganado, Klagetoh, Two Grey Hills Textiles” rug exhibit in the Navajo Textiles Gallery also showcases the beauty of weaving.
Renowned painters Bahe Whitethorne, Bahe Whitethorne, Jr., Shonto Begay, Redwing Nez and many others will be on site telling the stories behind their work.
Children will enjoy learning about Navajo customs by making rattles, rug patterns, and woven bookmarks in the Creative Corner.
Help from sponsors
The 2013 Navajo Festival is sponsored by Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Art Works, the Arizona Humanities Council, Flagstaff Cultural Partners, BBB Revenues of Flagstaff and Coconino County of Arizona.
About the Museum of Northern Arizona
Now celebrating its 85th year, the mission of the Museum of Northern Arizona
is to inspire a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau through collecting, studying, interpreting, and preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road in Flagstaff and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free for members and $10 adults, $9 seniors, $7 students with IDs, $6 American Indians, and $5 ages 10-17. Become a member in time to attend the Navajo Festival Members’ Preview, Arts Award Ceremony, and Silent Auction on Friday, August 2. For information, go to musnaz.org or call 928.774.5213.