Summer Season Orlinda Arthur-Williams, Navajo

Summer Season

The Blue Twilight represents the Summer Salt woman rein the south door and anchors the summer sun Summer pilgrimage is made to the sacred Salt lake in the Zuni Mountains Summer is beautiful it brings the male rain

In Yaiishjaashchili ( June) it’s a time to cultivate the cornfield Men plowed with horses as the children dash seeds into the ground The women are busy butchering and preparing the meal Summer is beautiful as it brings the corn pollen

In Yaiishjaashtsoh ( July ) the plants sprout in the field Summer is the season of the Enemy Way ceremony Men and woman dressed in their traditional regalia dance in a circle Summer is beautiful as it brings the mud clowns

In Binianitaatsoozi (August) the crops ripe and lambs are ready for market The animals cried for their little ones as they are hauled away In trade for the stock canned goods, materials and supplies are bought Summer is beautiful as it draws people together at the trading post

Enjoy the Summer Heal by the hot beams of father sun Run in the summer rain Receive a blessing from the mud clowns

By Orlinda Arthur-Williams, Navajo

Taken by Jessica Young in the McGaffey area