Dancing Gods: Indian Ceremonials of New Mexico and Arizona - Softcover

Fergusson, Erna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0826310508 ISBN 13: 9780826310507

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press, 1988

Synopsis

One of the most remarkable features of life in the Southwest is the presence of Native American religious ceremonies in communities that are driving distance from Sunbelt cities. Many of these ceremonies are open to the public and Dancing Gods is the best single reference for visitors to dances at the Rio Grande Pueblos, Zuni Pueblo, the Hopi Mesas, and the Navajo and Apache reservations. Fergusson's classic guide to New Mexico and Arizona Indian ceremonies is once again available in print. It offers background information on the history and religion of the area's Native American peoples and describes the principal public ceremonies and some lesser-known dances that are rarely performed. Here is information on the major Pueblo rituals--the Corn Dance, Deer Dance, and Eagle Dance--as well as various dances at Zuni, including the complicated Shalako. Fergusson also describes the Hopi bean-planting and Niman Kachina ceremonies in addition to the Snake Dance, the Navajo Mountain Chant and Night Chant, and several Apache ceremonies.

"Still the best of all books about the Indian ceremonials of New Mexico and Arizona. . . .perceptive and simple, reverent and lucid."--Lawrence Clark Powell, Southwest Classics

About this title

From the Publisher:

The reprint of this classic will be available in September 2001.

From the Inside Flap:

The best single reference for visitors to dances at the Rio Grande Pueblos, Zuni Pueblo, the Hopi Mesas, and the Navajo and Apache reservations.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0826310508
• ISBN 13: 9780826310507
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 314