f I few years ago I began making I / records <strong>of</strong> Navajo life. Slowly I gained <strong>the</strong> confidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clan leaders, learned something <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir language and <strong>the</strong>ir rituals. Since <strong>the</strong> Navajo have never performed <strong>the</strong>ir most sacred rituals at tourist centers, I was anxious to record <strong>the</strong> making <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mystic sand paintings and went deep into <strong>the</strong> reservation at Oljato near Monument valley in Arizona, to do <strong>the</strong> work. After several months <strong>of</strong> search for a medicine man who would permit me to photograph his rituals, I finally arranged, with one who knew me, to record <strong>the</strong> rites <strong>of</strong> a Devilchasing and healing ceremony he was conducting. Since <strong>the</strong> sand painting is done in <strong>the</strong> semi-darkness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> medicine hogan, or conical house <strong>of</strong> juniper logs covered with brush and earth, <strong>the</strong> only available light for pictures came through <strong>the</strong> smokehole on top, through which I pointed my camera. I was denied <strong>the</strong> privilege <strong>of</strong> shooting <strong>the</strong> 22 By D. CLIFFORD BOND Photographs by <strong>the</strong> author actual healing rite, and was not permitted to use flash lamps, since it is decreed that sunlight lessens <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> painting, and what is a flash bulb but "bottled sunlight." The Navajo medicine men undertake to cure, no matter what <strong>the</strong> ailment, but must be paid in advance. For <strong>the</strong> ordinary all-night sing <strong>the</strong> usual fee is $6.00. The cost is much greater for <strong>the</strong> more elaborate rituals, which may last nine days and require as many as 150 paintings. Payment may be made in cash, goods, or livestock. Soon after darkness comes <strong>the</strong>re rises <strong>the</strong> wild chant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Yei-Be-Chai, sung by dancers weaving around <strong>the</strong> orange flames <strong>of</strong> a juniper fire. The song rises, swells, sinks to a low moan, ascends again to a wild, rhythmic chant, and ends in a yell-primitive, triumphant—that echoes back again and again from <strong>the</strong> canyon walls. Prayers, emetics and sweat baths are Navajo hatali, or medicine man, •with <strong>the</strong> tools <strong>of</strong> his pr<strong>of</strong>ession, preparatory to starting work on a sand-painting used in a healing ceremonial. The central figure symbolizes a Yei or Navajo god. The fea<strong>the</strong>rs are oriented to <strong>the</strong> cardinal directions, and rainboiv symbols form <strong>the</strong> outer area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> design. Every part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> painting, even to <strong>the</strong> smallest fea<strong>the</strong>r tip, has a meaning, and an error in this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ritual will bring displeasure to <strong>the</strong> gods. Mte Navafa Medicine Man Relatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> patient brought to <strong>the</strong> medicine man for healing listen to <strong>the</strong> chants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> "hatali" as he works with <strong>the</strong> sick ,man in <strong>the</strong> cha'o {brush summer shelter).
symbolizes a Yei fea<strong>the</strong>rs are ori-
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