Rodeo Terminology in the Navajo Language – Video

July 2, 2012 by

Rodeo, or known as Ahóóhai in the Navajo language, is a very popular sport on the Navajo reservation. Since many Navajos have cattle, it’s not suprising that Navajos undertaken this competitive sports event. This video basically covers the names of the events in Navajo, both timed and rough stock events. This video also covers the names of key individuals involved in a rodeo, for example:

Akalii: Cowboy:
Dóola Bil Naalgeedígíí: Bull Rider
Hastiin Lá At’ínígíí: Rodeo Clown
Bil Nída’algeedgo Nídayiiláhígíí: Pick-Up Man

 

The term “rodeo” in Navajo comes from the word “Naa’ahóóhai,” which means “chicken” in Navajo. Rodeos on the reservation initiated around a “chicken-pull.” Over time, this word got shortened to “ahóóhai,” and rather than being named after chicken pulls it became the term for “rodeos” as rodeos got popular on the reservation. Also, some people will use the term “Naa’ahóóhai” or “Ahóóhai” for agricultural shows; tribal, county, or state fairs.

The names of the rodeo events in Navajo:

Líí’ T’áá Dilkoohgo Naalgeedígíí: Bare Back

The breakdown:

Líí’: horse
T’áá Dilkoohgo: in a smooth manner (i.e. without a saddle)
Naalgeedígíí: the one that is bucking

Líí’ Bik’ídahaznilgo Naalgeedígíí: Saddle Bronc

The breakdown:

Líí’: horse
Bik’ídahaznilgo: things are set on it (i.e. it is saddled)
Naalgeedígíí: the one that is bucking

Béégashii Alts’áá’ Wódleehígíí: Team Roping

The breakdown:

Béégashii: cow
Alts’áá’: on each side
Wódleehígíí: the one where it is roped

Tóshjeeh BinaagoL?íí’ Náádadiilwo’ígíí: Barrel Racing

The breakdown:

Tóshjeeh: barrel/water container
Binaago: around it
Líí’: horse(s)
Náádadiilwo’ígíí: the one where they run around

Béégashii Yáázh Wódleehígíí: Calf Roping

The breakdown:

Béégashii: cow
Yáázh: the little one (i.e.calf)
Wódleehígíí: the one that is roped

Béégashii Bik’os Náágisgo Nehe’nílígíí: Steer Wrestling

The breakdown:

Béégashii: cow
Bik’os: it’s neck
Náágisgo: it is turned
Nehe’ní?ígíí: the one that is taken down

Dóola Naalgeedígíí: Bull Riding

The breakdown:

Dóola: bull
Naalgeedígíí: the one that is bucking

Béégashii Yáázh T’óó Yisdlohígíí: Ladies’ Break-Away

The breakdown:

Béégashii: cow
Yáázh: the little one (i.e. calf)
T’óó: merely
Yisdlohígíí: it is roped

Since rodeos have become a key fixture in Navajo culture, I had to include this video in my series of Navajo language terminology! Enjoy, and hopefully if you hear these terms at a rodeo on the reservation, you won’t be too confused anymore! 🙂

This video was filmed at Double “R” Ranch, in Round Rock, AZ

Source: Daybreak Warrior (Terry Teller)
http://www.youtube.com/user/daybreakwarrior/featured

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Monument Valley Tribal Park

July 2, 2012 by

Monument Valley (Navajo: Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii, meaning valley of the rocks) stretches across the state boundaries of northeast Arizona and southern Utah.

It is located on the border of southeastern Utah and northern Arizona, Monument Valley contains some of the most dramatic rock formations on the Colorado Plateau.

Hogans at Monument Valley Tribal Park

The valley’s earliest inhabitants include the Ice Age Paleo-Indian hunters (12,000-6,000 B.C.), Archaic hunter-gatherers (6,000 B.C.-A.D. 1), and Anasazi farmers (A.D. 1-1300).

In 1924 Harry Goulding established a post which is still in operation today, although under different management. During the 1950s Goulding encouraged the employment of Navajos in the uranium industry as well as in holding parts in the movie industry.

Monument Valley Tribal Park

Monument Valley Tribal Park

Monument Valley became known throughout the world when it was featured in such western film classics as John Ford’s Stagecoach, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and Cheyenne Autumn.

 

The Navajo Nation just remodeled visitor center at one of the country’s most noted tribal parks.
Monument Valley Tribal Park, the destination of more than 250,000 visitors per year.

Monument Valley to hosts a balloon festival in  February free and open to the public.

“All the staff at Monument Valley, they are all Navajo,” Hongeva said. “All the tour guides are Navajo and all the vendors who sell food or jewelry, they are Navajo, and they are all individuals who live there locally.”

Tour guides take visitors through the park’s 17 miles of scenic roads, past some of the most acclaimed formations of the American Southwest.

A $14 million lodging, called The View Hotel, was constructed on the nearly 30,000-acre park, where several Navajo families still maintain grazing rights.

Getting there:
From Flagstaff, head east on Highway 40 to Highway 89 (Page, Grand Canyon Exit). Travel north on Highway 89 to Highway 160. Travel east on Highway 160 to Highway 163 (Kayenta exit). Travel north into Utah to Goulding’s Lodge then take Indian Route 40 southeast to the entrance to Monument Valley. The closest airport is Farmington, New Mexico. It is about two and a half hours east of the park.

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Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo 2012

June 25, 2012 by

KAYENTA OF JULY CELEBRATION

& RODEO OF THE YEAR

June 29 – July 7, 2012

Rodeo performances, fireworks, country dances, golf tournament, free pancake breakfast

Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo

Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo

 

Schedule of Events

Event Schedule
June 29, 2012
5:00 PM – Kayenta Fourth of July Youth Bull Riding
7:00 PM – Kayenta Fourth of July Open Bull Riding
9:00 PM – Country Dance
June 30, 2012
8:30 AM – Kayenta Rodeo Task Force Golf Tournament (Page, Arizona)
4:00 PM – Cowgirls Night Out ( Break-Away, Team Roping, Barrel Racing)
8:00 PM – Concert Sponsored by Kayenta Township Commission
July 1, 2012
8:00 AM – Free Pancake Breakfast
8:00 AM – Indian Junior Rodeo
July 4, 2012
8:00 AM – Free Pancake Breakfast
8:00 AM – Rodeo Slack
7:30 PM – 1st Performance All Indian Rodeo
9:00 PM – Country Dance
10:00 PM – Fireworks Display
July 5, 2012
8:00 AM – Free Pancake Breakfast
8:00 AM – Team Roping Classic
7:30 PM – 2nd Performance All Indian Rodeo
9:00 PM – Country Dance
July 6, 2012
8:00 AM – Free Pancake Breakfast
8:00 AM – Team Roping Classic
7:30 PM – 3rd Performance All Indian Rodeo
9:00 PM – Country Dance
July 7, 2012
8:00 AM – Free Pancake Breakfast
10:00 AM – Kenneth H. Young Memorial Steer Wrestling Chute-Out
7:30 PM – Short Go All Indian Rodeo
9:00 PM – Country Dance
10:00 PM – Fireworks Display

 

 

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MNA Navajo Rug Auction June 23,2012

June 21, 2012 by

2012 Summer Navajo Rug Auction


Saturday, June 23, 2012
Auction: 2 – 5 p.m.

Museum of Northern Arizona

 

Navajo Rug Auction Museum of Northern Arizona

Navajo Rug Auction Museum of Northern Arizona


Public Preview: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

There will be a public preview of all the weavings the morning of the auction from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. The live auction begins at 2 p.m. and is free to the public. A portion of the proceeds from this event will provide support for Flagstaff Cultural Partners and the Museum of Northern Arizona.
The auction will be led by auctioneers from the R. B. Burnham & Co. Trading Post. Bruce Burnham.
Bruce Burnham at Navajo Rug Auction

Bruce Burnham at Navajo Rug Auction

Consignments June 20-22, 2012 9:00 A.M – 12:00 P.M. / 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Consignments will be accepted for the auctions. Artists and other consigners are invited to bring their Navajo weavings to the Museum of Northern Arizona from Wednesday, June 20 through Friday, June 22, 2012, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Specialists and experts in the field of Native art and Navajo weaving will be on-site to identify handspun, hand-carded, and vintage pieces, versus acrylic yarns, to ensure quality items and prices for the auction. Information on how to evaluate and buy Navajo rugs will also be available.
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Navajo Girl with Lamb

June 13, 2012 by

Navajo girl holding a lamb in New Mexico. Date 1920-1940

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Navajo Men Dance – 1926

June 12, 2012 by
Navajo Men Dance - 1926

Jesse Nusbaum's stepson, Deric, far right, dances in a line with four Navajo men in front of a winter hogan at Mesa Verde National Park.

Dressed in work clothes, the men all wear scarfs tied around their heads; each holds clusters of grass.

The top mound of the hogan has snow on it; snow lies on the ground where the men dance.

 

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Community Celebration at Monument Valley

June 12, 2012 by

Navajo Name: Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii

Community Celebration

June 16, 2012

8am-10pm
Entertainment by:
Joe Tohonnie Jr &
Apache Crowndancers
To’di .Neesh Zhee Singers
Davis Boys, Davis Mitchell &
much more…
Fashion Show by Native Stitch

“Walking together for tomorrow”
1-435-727-5870
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Community Celebration at Monument Valley

Community Celebration at Monument Valley

Fun Walk/Run
Bike Ride & Games
Fireworks
Chili Cook Off
Horseback Trail Ride

HORSE CLINIC Fun Walk/Run

HORSE CLINIC Fun Walk/Run

HORSE CLINIC
only June 15, 2012
Equine Conditioning, Nutrition and Safety
Equine Dental Care
Update your hauling permits,
Navajo Nation Rangers on site.
8am-3pm

navajonationparks.org
Friday at 7:00am at Navajo Parks & Recreation
Join
—-
7:00 am – 10:00 am
Fun Walk, MVNTP to Welcome Center
Bike Ride, Valley to Welcome Center
Trail Ride, Monument Pass to Welcome Center
Other activities: Hourly raffle ticket drawings,
Softball tournament MVHS

AMPHITHEATER
Herman Daniels Jr., MC
10:00 am Posting Colors by Kayenta Brownies Group – Adrienne John
10:10 am Invocation – Herb Yazhe, Park Manager
Chili Cook Off – Contestant Registration – {NNSpecial Diabetes Tent}
Games – {NPRD Tent}
10:15 am Welcome address by Martin L. Begay, NPRD Manager
10:30 am Miss Western Navajo, Ann Marie Salt
10:45 am Cultural Entertainment by MVHS
11:00 am Motivation Speaker – Mr. Fray Gray, Dine College Archery Team
11:30 am Address and Award Ceremony by Congressman Jim Matheson & Bruce Adam, County Commissioner
11:45 am Davis Mitchell, Navajo Traditional Songs
Horseback Riders arrival – Lorenzo Begay
Food blessing and Luncheon – Catered by Peshlakai Family
12:15pm Davis Boys, Navajo Traditional Songs
12:45pm Todineeshzhee Singers
1:15pm Joe Tohonnie Jr & Apache Crown Dancers
1:45pm Davis Mitchell
2:00pm Chili Cook Off Awards – {NNSpecial Diabetes Tent}
2:15pm Reconition of Honorees – Seniors & Veterans
Watermelon feast
2:45pm Todineeshzhee Singers
3:15pm Joe Tohonnie Jr & Apache Crown Dancers
3:45pm Davis Boys
4:15pm Fashion Show
5:15pm Open mic
5:30-9pm Latigo – Country Band
9:30 pm * Fireworks, sponsored by Goulding’s *

 

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Navajo Silversmith Making Jewelry

June 9, 2012 by
Navajo silversmith making jewelry in New Mexico

Navajo silversmith making jewelry in New Mexico

 

Publisher: Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico
Date Original ca. 1920-1940

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Navajo Medicine Man & Family at his Hogan

June 8, 2012 by
Navajo Medicine man sits in front of hogan with his family

Navajo Medicine man sits in front of hogan with his family

 

 Image of a Navajo hogan. Medicine man sits in front of hogan with his family.

Publisher: Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico
Date Original ca. 1920-1940

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Navajo sheepherder and Child in Canyon De Chelly, AZ

June 4, 2012 by

Navajo Man and Child in Canyon de Chelly, AZ

 

Navajo man and child at White House Ruins in Canyon de Chelly. A herd of sheep in the background.

Publisher Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico
Date Original ca. 1920-1940

Navajo People Website Links:
Navajo Culture – Navajo History – Navajo Art – Navajo Clothing Navajo Pictures – Navajo Rugs – Navajo Language – Navajo Jewelry – Navajo Code Talker – Navajo Pottery – Navajo Legends – Hogan’s – Sand Painting – Navajo Food – Navajo News – Navajo Nation

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