Gallup in McKinley County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial
Irving Bahe, Muralists, 2005
Photographed by Mark Parker, October 8, 2023
1. Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Marker
The first Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial was held in Gallup on September 22, 1922. Ceremonial was initiated by traders and the Chamber of Commerce. In the early days natives came in wagons and camped in the surrounding hills. Tourists from across the nation braved the dirt roads to Gallup in their newly acquired automobiles to see traditional Indian dances that had seldom been danced for the public.
The Gallup Inter Tribal Indian. Ceremonial includes a world-class exhibition of the finest Native American arts and crafts, rodeo, pow-wow and parades.
The primary focus is on ritual dance, performed by many tribes. One Native American dancer says, "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."
With thanks to George Athens for the use of this wall
Reproduction rights belong to the City of Gallup
Erected 2005 by City of Gallup.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 35° 31.636′ N, 108° 44.558′ W. Marker is in Gallup, New Mexico, in McKinley County. It is at the intersection of West Coal Avenue and South 2nd Street, on the left when traveling east on West Coal Avenue. Marker is at eye level on the brick pillar to the bottom right of the mural. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 W Coal Ave, Gallup NM 87301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s San Juan Basin. It is also in the American Southwest, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Navajo Code Talkers' Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Coal Mining Era (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Women's Multicultural Mural (about 400 feet away); Richardson's Trading Company (about 400 feet away); Great Gallup (about 400 feet away); Hoist (about 400 feet away); Gallup's Neon (about 400 feet away); Coal Car (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gallup.
Photographed by Mark Parker, October 8, 2023
2. Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Mural
Marker is just out of sight to the bottom right on the brick pillar
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
