Late November or early DecemberOne of the most impressive of the Pueblo Indian dances, the Shalako Ceremonial is held at the Zuni Pueblo in southwestern New Mexico. In this ceremony of all-night dancing and chants, houses are blessed, the dead are commemorated, and prayers are offered for good health and good weather in the coming year. The dance features towering masked figures with beaks who represent messengers from the rainmakers. They make clacking noises as they approach designated houses, and once inside the houses, they remove their masks, chant, and share food. Other figures taking part in the ceremonial are rain gods, warriors carrying whips, and the fire god, who is depicted by a young boy. The dancing goes on all through the cold night. The following morning, there are foot races.
CONTACTS:
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th St. N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87104
866-855-7902 or 505-843-7270
www.indianpueblo.org
SOURCES:
DictFolkMyth-1984, pp. 566, 589, 1001
EncyNatAmerRel-2001, p. 264
IndianAmer-1989, pp. 290, 321
RelHolCal-2004, p. 253