Night Ceremonial

Way down there on the Navajo rez, down there over by St. Michaels
mission, the crowd was thick, the cars were lined up all the way from
Tse Bonito three lanes wide coming and going all trying to get to the
fair grounds.

The evening was still warm and people were gathering to find a place
at the night ceremonial down at the rodeo grounds. The bonfires were
lit to start off the night. The crowds were pretty thick, there were a
bunch of kids that piled out of the yellow BIA school bus from Rough
Rock, and the other buses were loading up to head back to school at
Crystal, Lukachukai, Tuba City and Nenahanzad and way over at the one
place, you know not too far from Crownpoint.


There were old Che’s (Chays-Grandfathers) and Sanis
(Grandmothers) carrying bags of goodies and free stuff they got from
the exhibit hall. There were kids following their Moms carrying cotton
candy and all sorts of people from Kayenta, Fruitland and even some
from Cuba.


It was just one of those days when you have to pick your way through
the crowd to find a spot, just a spot to watch the dances that night.
One of the people was Razor Saltboy from Crystal who could handle the
guitar pretty good way back in the day, and then there a couple of
ol’ Miss Navajos, Viginia Yazzie from Shiprock from her 1970's
days, she looks like she’s got grandkids now, and then here come
the new ones trying out for this s year. Yeee! All decked in velvet
and satin, blue, red and white outfits with large silver concho belts,
and turquoise beads and red sash belts carrying their pendletons. They
have streamers, Miss Dzilthnahodilthle, Miss Central Navajo, Miss
Richfield Boarding School, Miss Indian ASU, they sure got some pretty
good ones this year.


There is old man Woody from Whitewater carrying a silver concho bridle
he made for the arts and crafts show, looks like he is showing it off
and maybe trying to sell it to someone. He is sitting near the front
of the grandstands so everyone can see it. I can see some teenagers
eating steamed corn hanging over the guardrail and talking a mile a
minute seeing old friends and new ones too.


I was halfway up the stands when I saw a good spot. Just when I
stopped this one guy really yelled at me. Chee Yazzie from Lower
Greasewood, he said, “Yahtahey Rustywire!” I looked at him
and he had a surprised look on his face. I reached out to shake his
hand but he stood back. What’s wrong Sikis (my friend)?. He just
looked at me and said, “I heard you was dead.” I looked at
him and laughed. “Oh! (Yes), jine'(it was said) Yes, that is
what they said, but I just had to come see the night ceremonial”
I turned around and then sat down. Yep nothing like the Navajo Nation
Fair...Yeeeeee! rustywire