The 87th Annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

            GALLUP, New Mexico is a special place at any time of the year—and especially during the week of the annual Inter-Tribal Ceremonial. During five days each August, Gallup is a showplace that highlights the dances, parades, songs, prayers, food, and artwork of at least 14 American Indian tribes from the Southwest, and as far away as Canada and Mexico.  And this year, the 87th year that Gallup has hosted the Ceremonial, was no exception.

           As we traveled from Tucson to Gallup, over the winding road through Salt River Canyon, and through the plains, the road rose and fell, and gradually rose again to the mesas and valleys near Gallup (elevation: 6,000). The road through the Salt River Canyon is a winding engineering marvel; before it was completed, there was no easy way to pass through this area.  And way in the very bottom of the Canyon, as the road winds down to the Salt River, you’ll find Native Americans from the San Carlos Apache Reservation selling their jewelry. 

Along with enjoying the natural beauty along the highway, we had a chance to combine fun and work, and to find some exciting new pieces of turquoise jewelry for our online store, www.globalproductsonline.com.

We thought you’d enjoy some photos from the Saturday morning Ceremonial Parade in Gallup. The parade, which has been a part of the Ceremonial since 1922, is a great favorite of young and old; the parade way is already crowded at 8 am, traffic stops, and the 90-minute parade begins.  The parade winds its way through the main street of Gallup, on the original Route 66, through the downtown.

The route begins at the Gurley Motor Truck Center on Aztec Street, through the downtown, around First Street, then Coal, then back to Aztec. Despite the numbers of participants, they were just a few of the Native American groups that participated in the Ceremonial.

            Visitors come from around the world, to see the dances during the day and night, and to see the arts and crafts, and to enjoy the food.  They can also see the wonderful “Code Talkers” mural right downtown, which features the story of the young Navajo men who played such an important role in the Pacific in World War II.

Honoring Patriots
            This year had a very patriotic feeling, with lots of flags as the little girls and adults carried a huge American flag, and veterans of all wars were honored, Many of the remaining Navajo Code Talkers were special guests in an old truck and a float, and here and there you saw the Stars and Stripes in shirts and banners. 

Also, Navajo artist, teacher, and silversmith Chester Kahn (known by his family and friends as “Tso Yazzy”), painter of the Circle of Light mural at Ellis Tanner’s Trading Company, was named “Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial’s “Living Treasure 2008.”  He has painted 64 individual murals of Navajo heroes and role models, from military heroes to farmers and peace-makers. The American Legion was there, too.

 The Navajo and Zuni Bands
            A traditional treat at the Ceremonial Parade is the music of the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo bands.  No more than two bands are allowed to play in the parade each year. And, because the crowd likes it best, the bands always play traditional marching tunes. As the musicians march by, their sparkling turquoise jewelry catches the morning light.

The Zuni Olla Maidens
           
Imagine carrying a beautifully decorated Zuni pot on your head, in a straight line, up and down hills, for 90 minutes.  That’s what the Zuni Olla Maidens do—and with a smile.  A teacher decided to revive the tradition of women carrying water pots, or ollas, on their heads, and the Zuni Olla Maidens became an instant  success at fairs and celebrations like the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial. The Maidens, aged 13 to 59, travel the country celebrating their art and culture. If you look closely, you’ll see that the women are arranged by age.

 

 

Queens and Baby Princess
            Another tradition involves a court of many queens, and a baby princess.  It is a special honor to represent your area, the parade itself, and the rodeo, too.  The Baby Princess walks along throwing out little boxes of candy to the crowd.

 

 

 

 

The Dancers
            Cheyenne Dancers. One of the most colorful dance troups came from Oklahoma this year.  Their dances were sweeping and the color magnificent. San Juan Pueblo Dancers.

            San Juan Pueblo, located about 25 miles north of Santa Fe, brought a colorful group this year for their Buffalo Dance.  Note the wonderful heads and horns, and the colorful costumes, along with gourds and rain and lightning sticks. The Apache Crown Dancers from San Carlos Reservation, Arizona, came in with a flair, The Zuni White Eagle Dancers brought their sparkling steps and music right into the crowd’s heart.  A group of Preschool children amazed the crowd. And dancers from The Navajo Nation amazed us with their arrow-straight formation, carrying heavy blankets and not missing a step.  With their flamboyant feathers and exotic headdresses, with dramatic drums signaling the way, the Aztec Dancers  from Mexico closed the parade with a crowd-pleasing flare. 

            Even work was fun for us in Gallup and we felt privileged to make new friends and to see artisans at work; we hope their work will be seen soon at www.globalproductsonline.com/