Shalako

For other uses, see Shalako (disambiguation).

Shalako refers to a series of dances and ceremonies conducted by the Zuni tribe at the Winter Solstice, and other Native American tribes of the American Southwest in the fall, typically following the harvest. It is notable in that unlike many other Zuni ceremonies that are closed to outsiders, non-Zuni are often invited to visit and watch portions of the Shalako dances. The American fascination with these ceremonies, dances, and proto-New-Age mysticism focused on Native American spiritual beliefs caused the word "Shalako" to be used as a place name or otherwise associated with ephemera of the frontier days of the American Southwest.