Native American or Indian Celebrations or Holidays by Brownielocks

We've organized all our Native American monthly rituals or observances now as a listing on one page for those that don't want to go from month to month to find them. They are presented by the month, rather than alphabetically, with a brief description of what they are about. Some of our features have teddy bear cartoons.
Click the observance for more information.

The History of The Hopi
(Bean Sprout) Powamu Festival

The Powamu Festival is the mid-winter ceremony and also called the Bean Planting Festival. It is observed in late January or early February. (We are placing it in our January observances.)

The History of The
Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony

The Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony is held in either January or February. When the dipper constellation (not our teddy bear one in the cartoon!) appears in the sky directly overhead, you then wait for the new moon to be seen. This is when the spiritual year begins. You then wait 5 days after the new moon to begin the ceremony.

History of The
Kwakiutl Midwinter Ceremony

The winter ceremony season is when they acknowledge and reaffirm their connection with the supernatural world.

The History of the
Athabascan Stickdance

The Stick Dance is named after the spruce pole, which is the central symbol in this ceremony. The purpose of this ceremony is to help mourn the male members of the tribe who have died; and, give comfort and support to the grieving family members.

The History of the
Navajo Mountain Chant

This observance marks the seasonal transition. It happens at the end of the thunderstorms but before the spring winds come. The Navajo believe that if this ceremony was held at any other time, it would result in death from lightning or snake bite.

The History of The
Yaqui Easter Ceremony

It is celebrated in the State of Arizona in the United States and in the country of Mexico. The ceremony ends on Easter Sunday. The name of this festival comes from the Yaqui Indians, now living in the Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona area that are descendants of the original tribe that lived near the Yaqui River

The History of
The Ute Bear Dance

The purpose of this dance is for mating and courtship. The second purpose is to celebrate the arrival of spring, as well as an opportunity to get together and celebrate.

The History of The
Green Corn Dance

The Green Corn Ceremony is held several weeks before the main harvest when the corn is nearly ripe. This ceremony was considered their annual rite of renewal and purification and was dedicated to the god who controlled the growth of corn or maize.

Sun Dance History

The Sun Dance is a ceremony for healing. Not everyone does the Sun Dance. You have to have a reason and to pray with your heart. This is also a controversial topic for many.

The History of The
Niman Katchina

The origin of this ceremony goes back to the Katchinas, who are their ancestral spirits. The Hopis believe that these spirits leave their home in the mountains and for six months visit the tribe, bringing health to the Hopi and rain to their crops.

The Apache Girls' Sunrise Ceremony

The Apache Girls' Sunrise Ceremony is celebrated for 4 days in July in Arizona and New Mexico to celebrate the coming-of-age of young Apache women.

History of The World
Eskimo Winter Olympics

Alaskans have always had a tradition of occasionally getting together to play games. These games were meant to test certain qualities needed to survive in the harsh climate they lived in, where hunting food was necessary no matter how extreme the weather.
Although the title is "Winter Olympics" they are held in July.

History of The
Crow Fair (Powwow)

The Crow Fair dates back to 1904 and takes place every year on the third weekend in August in an area south of Billings, Montana.
Tribes come from all over. It is called the "Tepee Capital of the World" during the fair.

History of The
Eagle Dance

Native Americans have traditionally performed the Eagle Dance when divine intervention was needed for rain believing the eagle would carry up their requests to the gods.

History of The
Hopi Flute Ceremony

The purpose of the Flute Ceremony is to encourage rainfall and promote the growth of corn, which is the primary food of the Hopi nation.

History of The
Hopi Snake Dance

It is held every two years. Many believe the Snake Dance worships snakes. That's not true. This entire ceremony is to worship Hopi ancestors and to help bring rain.

History of The
Miwok Acorn Festival + Cartoon

The Miwok would celebrate the acorn harvest each year at a tribal gathering called the Big Time. Families from widely scattered Miwok villages came together for this harvest activity and share the fruits, chat and exchange information, supplies, and news. They would also perform ceremonial dances.

History of The
Navajo Night Chant Ceremony

This is the most sacred of all Navajo ceremonies. It is also the most technically difficult and demanding to learn. This is because it involves memorizing literally hundreds of songs, dozens of prayers and several very complicated and intricate sand paintings. In spite of this, the demand for Night Chants remains great. And, as many as 50 ceremonies might be held during one season, which lasts 18-20 weeks.

History of
The Shalako Ceremony

The Shalako, who are believed to have first at Zuni around 1840, retrace the wanderings of the Zunis from the center earth to the modern pueblo, with the water spider as their representative. The Shalako are the God's messengers and run back and forth all year long carrying messages, as well as bringing moisture and rain when needed. When they leave, they also carry the Zunis' prayers for rain with them.

History of The
Wuwuchim Ceremony

The purpose of the Wuwuchim is to mark the beginning of the new ceremonial year in the Hopi calendar. In other words, this is like the Hopi New Year celebration.

The History of The
Hopi Soyaluna Ceremony

It is a ceremony related to the sun as it relates to the winter solstice. It is one of the Hopi's most sacred ceremonies and is also called the "Prayer-Offering Ceremony" because it is a time for saying prayers for the New Year and for wishing each other prosperity and health.

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