National Geographic : 1940 Nov
) National Geograpic society r-iiiUILg uy vv .jaiiguuoll aiiu Clutching Burning Brands in Their Hands, Frenzied Navajo Fire Dancers Circle Closer and Closer tothe Leaping Flames The performers paint their naked bodies with clay, which helps ward off the intense heat. As they run faster and faster, each man strikes the back ofthe Indian ahead of him with his fiery torch. Today the spectacular dance is a climax to impressive tribal Night Chants. Tribesmen come from far and near toattend these festive gatherings, held under the stars. Some of the onlookers wear store blankets. The ones they weave themselves they sellfor high prices.