Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

Second week in August, Wednesday through Sunday

This event is a major inter-tribal celebration held at Red Rock State Park near Gallup, New Mexico. The ceremonial originated in 1922, and now more than 50 tribes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico participate. Average attendance is 30,000.
The ceremonial activities include competitive dancing, a barbecue, and all-Indian professional rodeos, in which cowboys compete for silver belt-buckle prizes in such events as calf roping and bronco riding. There are also three evenings of Indian ceremonial dancing, with the Hoop, Deer, Buffalo, and other dances performed by different tribes.
The markets here present some of the country's finest displays of Indian fine arts—Navajo rugs, katchinas, jewelry, pottery, basketry, beadwork, leatherwork, sculptures, and painting. There are also silversmiths, weavers, and potters at work on their crafts.
On Saturday morning, downtown Gallup is the scene of the Ceremonial Parade, with tribal bands playing traditional and contemporary music. It is called the country's only all-Indian non-mechanized parade—all participants are walking, on horseback, or in wagons. On Saturday night, a Ceremonial Queen is crowned.

CONTACTS:
Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Association
202 W. Coal Ave.
Gallup, NM 87301
505-863-3896; fax: 505-863-9168
www.newmexico.org