Image Credit: Tyrell Descheney

Jóhónaa'éí and Traditional Weddings

The day Sun Bearer (Jóhónaa'éí), touched Changing Woman's (Asdzáá Nádleehé) right shoulder, he said all Navajo women shall belong to him.

So on the day of any Navajo traditional wedding, it takes place in the evening before the Sun sets. The soon to be bride mostly stays hidden inside; Prepping her clothes, jewelry, hair bun and so forth.

As soon as the grooms family ride in on horses and the groom’s saddle is taken inside, they shout and call out for the bride to come over to meet her husband. Before she steps outside, she covers herself inside a blanket for two reasons.

One reason, so the Sun won't see her as she's walking into the ceremonial hogan. Another reason, marriages were arranged. The groom and bride wouldn't know who they were marrying until the day of their wedding.

She is escorted by someone she is close with, whether it's her sister, aunt or mom. They lead her inside the hogan and remove the blanket for her revealing who her husband is. From there, the ceremony takes place. Each ceremony varies among each family.