Navajo ceremonies

	In all cultures there are "coming of age" ceremonies -- social events that recognize when a child becomes an adult. The Navaho celebrate a girl's coming into womanhood in the Kinaalda ceremony. What happens in this ceremony? How does the community know when to have this initiation into adulthood? What is the role of corn in the Kinaalda? How do traditional Navajo stories give understanding to this rite of passage? Who is Changing Woman and how does she relate to menstruation. There is a symbolic footrace in the events of a Kinaalda ceremony -- what's that all about? Is there an equivalent event for Navajo boys?
Another ceremony/relationship you may want to investigate has to do with a traditional Dineh marriage. How is clan kinship involved in a marriage in traditional Navajo country. Where do the newlyweds live? Who owns family property? Is there a marriage ceremony that is typical? Do a little digging to find out about this... When you get into traditional Dineh social life and customs, you may find out about other ceremonies you want to research, from births to funerals. How do the Navajo mark important stages in life? Careful not to spread yourself too thin. Keep a focus! Tell us about the Kinaalda and possibly one more rite of passage.

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