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An
autumn to mid-winter nine day Dine healing ceremony pronounced Tl’eeji (night
way). This ceremony is for Dine
people that are experiencing prolonged health problems with their vision,
hearing and thinking. The need for
this ceremony is determined by a Dine diagnostician. Upon the diagnosis, patient will need
immediate and kinship family as well as community members to assist with
acquiring the necessary items for the ceremony. Planning this ceremony begins about one year prior due to the
time it takes to acquire the necessary items. A medicine person (hataalii) is identified and partial payment
of the fee is paid and ceremony date is set.
Preparation includes identifying a location with a Hogan (Dine
ceremonial structure), a brush shelter within about fifty feet, four to six
ceremonial baskets, two buckskins, robes, blankets, fabric materials, shawls,
mutton meat, sheep, coffee, flour, blue corn, outdoor cooking utensils, fire
wood, cooks, dishwashers, sheep butchering and errand help, eating utensils
and additional foods to enhance a serving.
The
ceremony begins with medicine person’s arrival with singers and helpers. The Ye’ii dancers, of male and female
teams are an important integral part of the ceremony. They are initiated with a Ye’iibichei
ceremony to perform the dances singing and dressed in colorful traditional
attire with masks. Everyone is invited
to watch the dances throughout the nights, as each team is announced as to where
they are from. There are some late
day dances on certain days as well.
Picture taking is not allowed.
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