essay

Ritual drama in the Navajo House Blessing Ceremony

southwestern indian ritual drama • Albuquerque • Published In 1980 • Pages: 161-198, 345-360

By: Frisbie, Charlotte Johnson.

Abstract

The Navajo House Blessing Ceremony is a prophylactic rite, part of the Blessingway Ceremony, used to consecrate new or reinhabited dwellings. While much has been written on the Blessingway, prior to Frisbie's dissertation on which this article is based, little had been written on the House Blessing Ceremony, in spite of the great significance afforded the Hogan in Navajo life. Frisbie discusses the literature on the Blessingway and historical development of the House Blessing Ceremony. She distinguishes between a private and public ceremony. The later is a recent development rising with construction and dedication of public buildings on the reservation. Frisbie also discusses the ritual components of the House Blessing Ceremony, including the storylines and prayers, for both private and public ceremonies. She concludes that the House Blessing Ceremony has remained a viable, dynamic, and traditional ceremony, one able to accommodate social change.

HRAF PubDate

2004

Region

North America

Sub Region

Southwest and Basin

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2003

Field Date

1964-1971

Coverage Date

1923-1977

Coverage Place

Navajo Nation, southwestern United States

Notes

Charlotte J. Frisbie

Includes bibliographical references (p. 345-360)

LCSH

Navajo Indians