Sheep is Life: A Celebration of Traditional Navajo Shepherding and Weaving Culture
Immerse yourself in traditional, historical, and contemporary Navajo shepherding and weaving culture at the 20th Annual Sheep is Life Celebration June 17-19. Visitors can experience sheep and wool production, fiber arts, textiles and culinary arts at workshops and presentations throughout the weekend. The celebration is presented by Diné be’ iiná Inc.(DBI), a grassroots organization thtat seeks to preserve, protect and celebrate the Navajo way of life. DBI is dedicated to conserving the Navajo-Churro Sheep breed and promoting fiber arts to enhance self-sufficiency and improve quality of life.
Aretta Begay, Director of Diné be’ iiná Inc. shared, “Sheep Is Life Celebration is about celebrating the shepherding and the weaving culture, it also keeps our Navajo historical weaving practices, pastoral traditions alive. Our event brings individuals of all ages and cultural roots together in one place to share with one another the beauty of working with fiber and be sustainable with the animals and land. This year we will make a special effort to honor all who have been involved in our organization over the last 25 years and all who have been involved in saving our beloved Taa’ Dibei’ (Navajo-Churro Sheep) from extinction.”
The 3-day festival is free, open to the public, and takes place June 17, 18, and 19 at the Diné College Campus in Tsaile AZ. It located just east of Chinle, near the beautiful Chuska Mountains on the Navajo Nation. The festival is funded in part by a grant from Arizona Humanities.
Click here to learn more about the Sheep is Life Celebration.
