Yeibichai Collection

NAVAJO DANCER, c1905. A Navajo man dressed in spruce branches as the deity Tonenili the water sprinkler, during the Yeibichai, a ceremonial dance. Photograph by Edward Curtis, c1905

Placing kedan, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Placing kedan, c1905. Navajo man impersonating Yeibichai, placing feather sticks around the sweat

Preparing the sweat, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Preparing the sweat, c1905. Four Navajo Indians preparing hot embers, covering them with brush and weeds on second day of Yebichai ceremony

Toneneli and Haschelti, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Toneneli and Haschelti, c1905. Two Navajo men impersonating two Yeibichai, Toneneli (Water God) and Haschelti (Talking God) on the 6th day of the Yeibichai ceremony

Haschelti and Haschebaad, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Haschelti and Haschebaad, c1905. Two Navajo men impersonating two Yeibichai, Haschelti (Talking God) and Haschebaad (Goddess) during the Yeibichai ceremony

Yeibichai, the beggar, Tonenili-Navajo Indian, dressed in spruce branches, 1904, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yeibichai, the beggar, Tonenili-Navajo Indian, dressed in spruce branches, 1904, c1905

Haschogan (House God) - The Yebichai Hunchback, 1904 Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Haschogan (House God) - The Yebichai Hunchback, 1904 Photograph shows a Navajo man, half-length, seated, facing front, wearing a ceremonial mask with feathers

Giving the medicine-Navaho, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Giving the medicine-Navaho, c1905. Photograph shows aNavajo shaman giving medicine to participant sitting atop blanket(?) used in sweatbath, as two others look on

Yeibichai war gods, 1904, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yeibichai war gods, 1904, c1905. Photograph shows three Natives: Tonenili, Tobadzischini, and Nayenezgani, in ceremonial dress, photographed against dark rock background

Yebichai prayer, C, c1906. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yebichai prayer, C, c1906. Navajo men impersonating myth characters during Yebichai dance

Yeibichai initiation outdoors, 1904, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yeibichai initiation outdoors, 1904, c1905. Group of Indians, most on horseback, watching initiation of young Indian man

Yeibichai, patient in sweat bath, 1904, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yeibichai, patient in sweat bath, 1904, c1905. Indian wrapped in blanket with medicine man and another man standing over him

Yeibichai sweat-Navaho, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yeibichai sweat-Navaho, c1905. Three Navajo men, seated, watching over a man covered with a blanket(?) anchored by sticks with feathers attached

Yebichai prayer, E, c1906. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yebichai prayer, E, c1906. Navajo Indians in costumes, dancing

YEIBICHAI CEREMONY, c1905. Navajo man impersonating a god, or Yeibichai, placing feather sticks, called kedan, around a pit with hot embers for men to sweat during the Yeibichi ceremony

NAVAJO CEREMONY, c1906. A Navajo Yeibichai healing ceremony inside a traditional hogan dwelling. A patient sits on a sand painting next to a man impersonating a god

USA, Utah, Monument Valley. Totem pole formation and sand dunes. Credit as: Nancy Rotenberg / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

NAVAJO CEREMONY, c1905. Two Navajo men impersonating two gods, Haschelti (Talking God) and Haschebaad (Goddess) during a Yeibichai ceremony. Photograph by Edward Curtis, c1905

YEIBICHAI DANCE, c1906. Navajo men impersonating mythical characters during a prayer dance as part of the Yeibichai ceremony. Photograph by Edward Curtis, c1906

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Witness the sacred rites of the Yeibichai ceremony, a profoundly spiritual event in Navajo culture. Edward S. Curtis's captivating photographs from 1904-1905 depict Navajo dancers donning spruce branches as they embody deities like Tonenili, the water sprinkler, and Haschogan, the house god. Preparations include placing kedan, or offerings, and the making of sweat. Prayers are offered, initiations take place outdoors, and the sick seek healing in sweat baths. The Yeibichai ceremony is a profound expression of Navajo spirituality, honoring their gods and seeking their blessings.