By: Rotha Chao

SHALAKO (ZUNI NEW YEAR)

Shalako

• Zuni New Year • Beginning of December • Dance for 1 night • Dances take places in houses that are hosted for them • Sing songs of blessings for the new year

Facts

  Takes place after the crops are in  The timing of the ceremony is crucial  It should be as close as possible to the winter solstices and the full moon  This ceremony attracts more outside visitors than any other Zuni ceremony History of the Shalako Ceremony

What Is it?

       It is the most important festival for the Zuni people Blessings are done for the present new year Only males dance Men, women, and children are allowed to watch the festivities Dances take places in houses that are hosted for them Races in the village between Shalako dancers No one can be turned away

When and Where?

 1am to 7-8am  December  Only celebrated in Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico

How is it celebrated?

  Women start cooking As dancers walk in the village corn meal is thrown on them for blessings   Take males the food (door of house) Then feed the fire (each individual family) this is for ancestors  Dancers begin at 1am

Zuni Emergence Tale

     Lowest world, populated by bugs Two boys gained access using prayer sticks Bugs traveled to earth Boys gave bugs human traits Emergence to homeland  Zuni Emergence Tale video

Zuni

Celebration of Shalako is:

 Fun – food and drinks  No alcohol  Traditional  Religious ceremony  Tourists

References

 The History of the Shalako Ceremony. (2011). Brownielocks and the 3 Bears website. Retrieved Mar 11, 2011 from http://www.brownielocks.com/shalako.html

 “May You Be Blessed With Light”: The Zuni Shalako Rite. (2010). Rick on Theater website. Retrieved Mar 11, 2011 from http://rickontheater.blogspot.com/2010/10/may-you be-blessed-with-light-zuni.html

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODpeCAJN1XY