"Lake Tahoe was and is sacred ground for the Washoe Tribe. This culture and heritage celebration, on its shore, is hosted by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada. Representatives from tribes across the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America gather to celebrate native traditions. This longstanding festival, open to the public, features native American dancing, master basket weaving display, food, crafts, and music."

If we were to chose a favorite of the day's events, Lori and I agreed it had to be the Aztec Dancers.
Among the Aztecs music, song, and dance played a very important role. Centuries before the European conquest, there flourished a rich music culture in the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan and the centers of neighboring kingships in the Valley of Mexico and beyond. Aztec musical thought was of a high philosophical level. Musical sounds, song and dance movements were of religious meaning and often accompanied ritual acts, such as offerings and sacrifices. Music and dance were understood as a sacrificial gift to the gods. Interestingly, there was no Aztec word for music. Music was the “art of song” (cuicatlamatiliztli) and musicians did not play but “sang” on their instruments. To dance was “to sing with the feet”.
These talented dancers expressed their passion so powerfully that we were actually moved emotionally. Wow.

No Washoe event is complete without hoop dancing. I am always impressed by this.
Lunch was delicious, special tacos, made on frybread, a flat dough bread, fried in oil, shortening, or lard. Made with simple ingredients, frybread can be eaten alone or with various toppings such as honey, jam, powdered sugar, venison, or beef. We had the beef. Frybread can also be made into tacos, like Navajo (Indian) tacos. That was what we all devoured and they were exceptional.
According to Navajo tradition, frybread was created in 1864 using the flour, sugar, salt and lard that was given to them by the United States government when the Navajo, who were living in Arizona, were forced to make the 300-mile journey known as the Long Walk to relocate to New Mexico (onto land that could not easily support their traditional staples of vegetables and beans). For many Native Americans, "frybread links generation with generation and also connects the present to the painful narrative of Native American history". It is often served both at home and at gatherings. History is found in all aspects of this Celebration.
The basket display was incredibly beautiful, with weavers there to answer any questions.
We strolled the grounds of the Tallac site to learn more about the Washoe and their presence here.

We then learned about the wealthy Americans who made their summer homes here, too.

We ended the day with a stroll through the garden. Beauty was everywhere today.