The Nawetsa Dancers (Zuni) © MNA
Sedona, AZ: At the base of the San Francisco Peaks―an integral part of the Colorado Plateau's spiritual landscape―the Museum of Northern Arizona's four festivals highlight the region's cultures and encourage communication and the exchange of ideas between visitors, educators, and artists. Art, music, performances, and Heritage Insights presentations, together, create cultural understanding and a forum for dialogue. The following festivals will be included in the 2008 Heritage Program.
18th Annual Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture
Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25
Dialogues on Creativity and Culture
In partnership with the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, a celebration of the Zuni way of life and Zuni expressions of creativity returns after a four year hiatus. The A:shiwi people will share Zuni language, lifeways, and traditional dances and flute playing. Prepare to be amazed and inspired by weavers, inlay jewelers, fetish carvers, and painters. See exotic stone, shell, and antler being carved into Zuni animal fetishes of the six directions. Learn about the shaping, forming, and painting of traditional Zuni pottery.
75th Annual Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture
Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6
The Oldest Hopi Show in the World Celebrates 75 Years!
First named the Hopi Craftsman Exhibition in 1930, the Hopi Festival was discontinued during the years of 1943–1946. Artists from the twelve Hopi villages continue to create and to innovate upon centuries old arts and crafts traditions. MNA is excited to celebrate this milestone event by featuring over 60 Hopi artists specializing katsina doll carving, basket weaving, jewelry, pottery, textile weaving, painting, and sculpture. Up-close demonstrations, dance groups, music, traditional foods, and insightful discussions about the Hopi values of humility, cooperation, respect, balance, and earth stewardship fill the Museum grounds during the July 4th weekend.
59th Annual Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture
Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3
Innovation Meets Tradition
Traditional Navajo (Diné) families and clans meet to share traditional storytelling and cultural interpretation with festival visitors. Weavers and potters work side by side with modern jewelers and filmmakers during this colorful and exciting summer festival. Traditional dance, a retrospective fashion show, modern music, and presentations on Navajo language and philosophy combine with more than 70 artists and their original artwork. Weavers work on upright looms on their intricate designs. Renowned Navajo painters share their inspiration and techniques with visitors. And a special Navajo Code Talker exhibit brings a few of these World War II heroes to MNA.
5th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente
Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26
A Lively Celebration of the Day of the Dead
The Museum comes to life for Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, an ancient Meso-American holiday held throughout Mexico, Latin America, and the Southwest. Transforming grief into celebration, this ritual pays homage to the lives of lost loved ones by inviting them back to enjoy their favorite music and foods, and to honor their contributions in life. More than a dozen Flagstaff families bring ofrendas (altars) from their homes to share in a courtyard exhibit, illuminated by candles and luminarias. Learn how traditions evolved and the meanings behind the objects on the ofrendas. Created in partnership with Flagstaff Hispanic pioneers Nuestras Raices.
Festival admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors (65+), $5 students, $4 Native people, $4 children (7–17) Attend Friday night Members' Previews by joining MNA
The Museum of Northern Arizona is located at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, in Flagstaff. For more information call 928-774-5213 or visit www.musnaz.org.
Article and photograph courtesy of Michele Bourgeois Mountain.
