After a disappointing visit to the 2nd Annual Lake Havasu Pow Wow, I found myself unexpectedly drawn to the Shoe Game at Flagstaff High School. It turned out to be an unforgettable experience!
The Lake Havasu Pow Wow faced challenges again this year, with only 8 dancers and one drum present. After a quick stop there, I made a 3-hour drive to Flagstaff to check out the Navajo Shoe Game. I'm so glad I did!
The Shoe Game, or "Késhjéé," is a traditional Navajo winter game where teams of "day animals" and "night animals" compete to find a hidden ball inside moccasins. The game blends strategy, distraction, and storytelling, symbolizing the balance between day and night. Players use a cedar stick to make their guesses: one tap on a shoe means they think the ball is inside, while two taps mean they think it's not.
At this event, students used boots from Goodwill, a stone instead of a yucca ball, and tarps to keep the space clean. It was fascinating to see the students from NAU leading the songs and teaching others about the tradition. I can only imagine how incredible it would be to watch older community members play, with everyone knowing the songs by heart!
The evening was made even better by the warm hospitality of the Flagstaff High School students. They served delicious food, including frybread, Navajo tacos, blue corn mush muffins, and a unique dish called Tamale cho. Their effort to bring everyone together through food and culture was truly inspiring.
I witnessed this event through my cameras, and it was amazing to see the younger generation keeping this tradition alive. Many of these students are also pow wow dancers, which is how I heard about the event in the first place!
Thank you for watching and supporting! It means the world to me to share these moments of culture and community.