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Initiation Ceremony by Gerald Nailor
Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography
Photo CaptionNavajo Scenes (detail) - Initiation Ceremony
Initiation Ceremony
Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography
Photo CaptionNavajo Scenes (detail) - Initiation Ceremony

Initiation Ceremony

Artist
Year1940
Classification painting
Medium oil on plaster
Dimensions8 ft. 2 1/16 in. (249.1 cm)
Credits New Deal Art Program
Location


  • Initiation Ceremon    y - The initiation of children into the home of the Gods. This is done during Yei-Be-Chei dances in the Winter. Usually the children are very much frightened about this ceremony in which they are whipped across the back and chest with Yucca branches. Two medicine men are on the left, one standing, one kneeling.  As they wave their symbolical forms, two children seek comfort from their mother.  The panel is signed Gerald Nailor '40 in the lower right hand corner.