This is one of the dances of the MOUNTAIN CHANT.
Fig. 14
There is a small fire in the center of the dance space. Enter in ordinary Navaho costume (see Fig. 14 for description), two men carrying rattles, one carrying a flat basketry tray, two with a feather each in the right hand, and two elaborately dressed, impersonating dolls with wonderful headdresses. These last two are the Holy Youth and the Holy Woman. They carry in each hand a framework about 15 inches wide, topping a stick, as in Fig. 15. The whole is 12 - 14 inches high, and is hung with many ribbons.
Fig. 15
The step used for the entrance, indeed for the whole dance of the main group, is: Step sidewise left (1-2) ; close right up to left (3). The side step is done with a slight sidewise dip.
With the same step, the group encircles the fire: 19 meas.
With the same step in forward progression, they move in to the fire: 4 meas.
They back outward from the fire: 4 meas.
Repeat the last two until 24 measures are used in all: 16 meas.
As they approach the fire, the hands are raised toward the sky; as they back out, they are lowered toward the ground.
The group stand still in place, except the bearer of the basket, who places it to one side; then all but the two dolls approach it, using the same step as above. The two feathers are set up in the basket, four of the chorus sit about it, all facing the center; the rest stand to one side and sing: 8 meas.
The two dolls now shuffle in from opposite sides, approaching until they face each other, with the basket between them on the ground.
They shuffle toward the fire: 4 meas.
Shuffle out from the fire: 4 meas.
Shuffle in toward the fire: 4 meas.
They now dance opposite each other, with much high knee stepping, prancing occasionally to one side or the other. The feathers, evidently manipulated with horsehairs by the four sitters, imitate the action of the dancers, until the music ends in a wail: 72 meas.
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