Welcome to the 49th Annual Diné Song and Dance Festival
The goal of the Diné Song and Dance Festival is to empower our children to continue using our Diné language by demonstrating their Diné cultural talents, knowledge and skills through singing and dancing.
Please read the “General information” sheet, the “Specific Rules for Competition Events”, and the entry forms carefully provided in the packet. Please download and print for your review prior to the event. Failure to comply with set rules and regulations may be grounds for disqualification. If you register online, you do not have to fax or email registration forms. The sponsor registering online will verify and certify student information.
Only one student is allowed for each division. The student sings one song. There can be no recorded music. Adults should not coach or help the student during the performance. The student will use only a wooden or metal drum. Performers cannot introduce themselves, tell jokes, and make speeches. Also no dancing or acting. All songs will be in Navajo, and cannot be Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí or Native American Church ceremonial songs, otherwise the participant will be disqualified. Disqualification will also occur for degrading or obscene songs. Students participate only within their grade division.
Only two students are allowed for each division and must sing only one Navajo song singing equally. There can be no recorded music or assistance from the sidelines. The students should accompany themselves with only a wooden or metal drum. Performers cannot introduce themselves, tell jokes, and make speeches. Also no dancing or acting. All songs will be in Navajo, and cannot be Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí or Native American Church ceremonial songs, otherwise the participant will be disqualified. Disqualification will also occur for degrading or obscene songs. Students participate only within their grade division.
Only four to ten students are allowed for each division. The group singers should sing only one song equally with no assistance from the sidelines. The students should accompany themselves with only a wooden or metal drum. Performers cannot introduce themselves, tell jokes, and make speeches. Also no dancing or acting. All songs will be in Navajo, and cannot be Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí or Native American Church ceremonial songs, otherwise the participant will be disqualified. Disqualification will also occur for degrading or obscene songs. Students participate only within their grade division.
Dancers should not wear masks, dleesh, or foxtails nor use sacred or traditional gourds. Painted faces and clown (T0 Neinilii) are not allowed, one song is permitted and no assistance from the sidelines. There must either be six or twelve dancers. If there are six dancers, they must all be male. If there are twelve dancers, there must be six of each gender. All must sing and dance equally without recorded music. They must participate only within their grade division.
There must be only two or four dancers perform only one dance with no more than four singers. A drum should not be used. Dancers should not paint their faces. The singers can use a basket or a rattle, but not sacred or traditional gourds. Only one song will be sung. There can be no recorded music or assistance from the sidelines. All students must participate within their grade division.
These dances include two-step, skip, parallel, and round dance with 8 to 12 students who will perform one dance and one song. The singers and dancers all perform equally. Only a wooden or metal drum will be used. Navajo clay drums and sacred drumsticks are not permitted. All dances should be done in a clockwise fashion. There can be no recorded music. No one should coach or help the students. All students must participate within their grade division.
Six to ten students. Singers should sing only up to four short Navajo songs and all should sing and perform. The presentation should not be more than five minutes long, or the judges will deduct points. There can be no recorded music. No one should coach or help the students from the sidelines. All students must participate within their grade division.
Six to ten students. Singers should sing only up to four short Navajo songs and all should sing and perform. The presentation should not be more than five minutes long or the judges will deduct points. There can be no recorded music. There must not be any coaching of the students once the performance begins. All students must participate within their grade division.
Email: florian.johnson@rpcsaz.org
Phone: (928) 659-4221 ext. 110
Fax: (928) 659-4235