This weekend I attended a Native American music festival, taking in the beauty and majesty of the culture…. as well as enjoying great food.
Throughout the day exceptionally talented flutists performed, some bringing a dozen or more different instruments on stage during their session. The songs were moving and achingly beautiful.
Each performer would also offer stories about their music, either telling folktales about the first flutes, or about what the songs were saying. A few of the performers also sang in their native language… it was amazing.
Seems that I can’t find enough superlatives to describe the event, but suffice to say I stayed the whole day.
And the dancers, in full regalia… I was literally on the edge of my chair watching.
One of the dancers explained that their regalia was like a family photo album. With different pieces handed down through generations or given as gifts from friends. He said that the dances also told a story.
The Hoop Dance, performed by two different dancers, using anywhere from one to 24 hoops, showed the connection between every one and every thing. We all play an integral part in this world, he said, and we have to work together to conquer hate.
Wearing a long skirt, adorned with 365 sliver cones, the Jingle Dancer performed a healing dance. Her movements adding a soft chiming sound to the music.
Traditional men and women’s dance were also performed, both somber and exciting to watch.
If you ever have a chance to attend such a festival, go! The dancers and musicians love sharing their talents and culture, and you will be richer for it.
You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.
(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)
For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

Fantastic and we do all have to work to conquer hate.
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How fun! That’s one of those experiences that’s on my to do list, but not a ton of events like that by me. One day. It’s amazing how much energy is in dances like that, yet there’s such a feeling of peace afterwards.
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while I love that you enjoyed this and shared all the photos and stories with us, it was more your enjoyment that was contagious for me. You can tell how much respect you have for other cultures and it comes through for us , which is such a gift.
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Great shots. My great-great-grandfather (actually, one of my 8 great-great-grandfathers – which is a number I sometimes can’t get my head around) married a Blackfoot woman and I’ve always been fascinated by that part of my heritage. Love the photos.
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such color in their pageantry.
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This sounds like a fantastic way to spend the day! And the costumes– Ahhh!
Wow.
Happy SIMC, jj
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I love that you went and I love the photos!
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