MariJo Moore

A slow, steady drumbeat begins to reverberate inside my
heart as the plaza becomes filled with drumming, movement
and color. The Katsinam are here. Singing and dancing.

This dance, like all American Indian dance, is a form of
praise; a way to experience interconnectedness through motion.
The art of dancing was part of life for American Indians before
the conception of art ever existed. American Indian dances are
beautiful metaphors for celebrating life to the fullest. Music and
dance are representatives of the full range of life for American
Indians. They are integral fuels that have always fed the fires of
honor and traditions.

Dance is a necessary spiritual action requiring dedication
and a devout sense of reverence. To dance is to pray, to pray is
to heal, to heal is to give, to give is to live, to live is to dance.

Katsinam dancing dancing Katsinam are lined inside of me
celebrating not explaining celebrating the mysteries

of all interconnectedness

knowing not hoping knowing all the people need their prayers
small chosen rocks rattling inside gourds

bringing visions of cool life-giving rains

my skin erupting letting go cold chills

quickly vanishing in the hot, dry desert

Am I seeing what I am seeing?

dancing Katsinam Katsinam dancing circle never closing
eagle feathers dripping from turquoise mouths

lush green juniper surrounding singing throats

movements... gourd rattles raise upward meeting lowered faces
heads turning left

bows and arrows lowered heads following

two right steps in one place now one left now turn and repeat
singing always singing

Symbolism is more than just imagined reality to American
Indians. Symbols represent spiritual reality where thought and

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