The Sacred Kinalda Ceremony Analysis

Many little girls dream about their paradisiacal weddings. Girl fantasize about the pristine white dress they will wear, the handsome man they will marry and the meaningful song that they will dance with their fathers to. For Navajo girls they not only dream about their weddings but also their Kinaaldas. The sacred Kinaalda ceremony is the conversion of a girl to a woman in Navajo culture. Navajo girls dream about the Navajo rug dresses they will wear, the young boys that will run along with them and the songs that their families will sing for them.
Many cultures around the world celebrate when a girl transitions into a woman. In Hispanic cultures, celebrations for a girl’s change from childhood to womanhood, called Quinceañeras, are celebrated
Kinaaldas honor Navajo ancestors and traditions. Since Kinaaldas are ancient traditions it is a point of honor to celebrate and participate in a Kinaalda. The continuance of traditions is vital in Navajo culture especially as more Navajo people live contemporary lives. It is important for Navajo people to continue their traditions in order to preserve them for future generations as well as obey the Holy People. Ellie Crystal writes about the importance of ceremonies in her article Navajo Religion and Ceremonies, “The Navajo culture is kept alive through ceremony. There are many ceremonies for different things. The ceremonies were given by the Holy ones. Through these ceremonies, the important lessons are taught to help preserve us as a people, the ceremony teaches about history and responsibilities as a human being inside the universe and the Navajo's place in it. They teach about this world, and how one can also help with this world. It also teaches patience.”(par.
There is a very strong sense of spirituality during a Kinaalda because of Kinaaldas’ origins to the creation stories. Kinaaldas inspire girl to be mature women and give them a sense of pride because of their heritage. By participating in a Kinaalda a girl values her culture and becomes a valuable member in the Navajo community. Jaclyn Roessel wrote in her article, Grownup Navajo, about the importance of the family in a Kinaalda ceremony, “I remember having my ceremony and feeling like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. Not because I was worried or frightened but I felt I wanted to make my family proud. I wanted to follow the direction of Changing Woman so my life would be blessed.”(par. 12). Roessel’s post demonstrates the prominence of a Kinaalda ceremony in a girl’s life. A Kinaalda defines when a girl is a woman and it is central for a young girl to have this celebration of womanhood. The life of a teenage Navajo girl is complicated but the Kinaalda ceremony defines for her what it means to be a Navajo woman. Being a Navajo woman requires responsibility, discipline and determination and a Kinaalda brings these qualities out in a girl. Navajos perform Kinaaldas so they can have esteemed women who know the importance of maintaining