Adobe Gallery Blog

In the late 1800s, Dr. Washington Matthews observed the Navajo and published information on the tribe, its ceremonies and crafts.  In 1909, Oscar H. Lipps published a book entitled The Navajos in which he quoted Dr. Matthews' description of the Navajo Fire Dance which he called The Fire Play.  In 1989, Avanyu Publishing re-published Lipps' book under the full title A Little History of the Navajos (see reference below).

In this paining, Beatien Yazz has presented us with one of the fire dancers in active participation of the event.  He is dressed only in a loin cloth and his body is covered in gray ash body paint.  He dances with a fire stick in one hand.

Read more about this Beatien Yazz painting here..

Reference: A Little History of The Navajos by Oscar H. Lipps, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1909.