Raised around song and dance, Jerrick Jumbo takes on Western Navajo Fair cultural arena
Naa’ahóóhai | 58th Annual Western Navajo Fair
TÓNANEESDIZÍ
Jerrick Jumbo did not know it at the time, but the woman who brought him into song and dance was preparing him to give back.
This week, Jumbo will do that as the first-year coordinator of the cultural arena at the 58th Annual Western Navajo Fair, where he is responsible for the cultural performances and song and dance.
Jumbo, who is from Two Grey Hills, New Mexico, grew up attending song and dances with his family. Some relatives held royalty titles and others participated, making the gatherings part of his life from elementary school onward.
Much of that connection came through Alice Begay of Little Water, New Mexico, whom Jumbo considers his nálí. After his biological nálí died, Begay stepped into that role and later helped him when he sponsored his first song and dance.
“She’s the one that introduced me to song and dance,” Jumbo said. “The first time I ever sponsored my own song and dance was a couple of years ago, and she was a really big help. She would say, ‘You should do this prize,’ or she’ll try to get as many prizes as she can.”
To read the full article, please see the Oct. 8, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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