Navajo man in medicine hogan with large sand painting

Color photograph. "The Yei-bet-Chai, a nine day Winter ceremonial, is probably the most important of all Navajo religious observances. Every Navajo, man or woman, hopes to participate at lease once during his lifetime in this profound experience. On each of the last four days of the ceremony the medicine man and his assistants paint a large sand painting on the floor of the medicine hogan. Even the smallest detail must be in strict accordance with the ancient traditions. The colored sands are sifted between the fingers of the painters in intricate and beautiful designs. The painting must be destroyed before the setting of the sun. In the attached picture the painting has been completed and the medicine man has taken his position at the western side of the hogan. Accompanying his song with gourd rattle, he sings the appropriate chant."