Marie Shirley during the forth night of her puberty ceremony (Kinaalda), a Blessing Way, Chinle, AZ; June 19-23, 1963. Photo shows woman wearing 6 bracelets and 3 necklaces. Per Door Book/Accession Record: Marie Shirley, girl at kinaalda ceremony, Arizona 1963.
Donor:
William R. Heick
Collection place:
Arizona
Verbatim coll. place:
Arizona
Collector:
William R. Heick
Collection date:
1963
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Black-and-white prints (photographs)
Accession date:
March 22, 2000
Department:
Still and motion photography
Dimensions:
width 25.4 centimeters and length 35.56 centimeters
Comment:
Per labels provided by Ira Jacknis: Marie Shirley, during the fourth night of her puberty ceremony (Kinaalda). Chinle, Arizona; June 19-23, 1963. The onset of a Navajo girl's menstruation is a time for rejoicing, often celebrated in a dramatic four night ceremony. Classified by the Navajo as Blessing Way, the Kinaalda introduces the girl into society, insures her health and prosperity, and helps protect her against misfortune. It includes songs, prayers, taboos, purifications rites, and a final night of singing. A Kinaalda is often given twice; the occasion recorded by the Film Project was the second for Marie Shirley. Shirley was the granddaughter of Frank Mitchell, a well known Blessing Way singer, who officiated.