Traditional wedding brings images of ceremonies past

Matthew Manymules and Antoinette "Anne" Thompson were recently wed in a traditional ceremony. [Courtesy Photo]

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

COPPERMINE — The smell of roasting sheep permeated the air; the yard filled with vehicles of all times and friends of family of Matthew Manymules and Antoinette "Anna" Thompson, who were soon to exchange wedding vows.

The pair was taking part in a traditional Navajo wedding basket ceremony, before some 200 guests at the Manymules home at First Windmill, in Coppermine.

Anna is Acoma Pueblo, the daughter of Kevin and Valerie Vallo. Matthew is the son of Stanley and Deb Manymules. The two met while attending Northern Arizona University.

Planning the wedding was more up to her, Anna said.

"I wanted to do it out of respect for both families and the elders," explained Anna.

The elders in attendance seemed to appreciate the traditional ceremony something that is growing increasingly rare, according to Esther Manymules, Matthew's nail (paternal grandmother).

"I'm happy to see them follow the tradition," said Esther, as she was preparing food for the feast.

Basket ceremonies used to happen a lot more when he was young, said Matthew's grandfather, Clarence Manymules. Now, they are too rare, as younger people turn more toward modern ways, he said.

Traditional Navajo weddings are supposed to take place at sundown, when the spirits are out. Because the ceremony takes place at night, the wedding feast comes first. And it requires a lot of work.

Esther said she has been up for nearly two days and has butchered five sheep for the feast.
"There's a lot of work for everybody," Matthew said, adding that it's worth it because it's a time of joy and laughter when the families come together as one.

Wearing an apron touting Blue Bird flour, Alice Hudson was busily making frybread. She is Matthew's grandmother in a clan way she explained. She is his father's aunt. Seeing the children running around and having fun, seemed to melt away the years from her, as well. It is a happy day, smiled the bespectacled elder.

There was work for everybody, Matthew explained. For example, the rough landscape had to be flattened somewhat to accommodate the guests and vehicles, he said.

It's hard to explain how he is feeling as the ceremony draws closer, Matthew said. But he is excited.

"The traditional way is the ladies' way," Matthew said. "It's a beautiful way. I was raised traditional, and I was raised that way."

The traditional way includes the eating of the sacred blue mush and the bride and groom sharing ribs.

But even traditional ways have to give way a little to modern times.

"We ran a wire from the house to the hogan so people can plug in their camcorders," Matthew said. The ceremony will be conducted by Matthew's grandfather, Herman Yellowhair Sr.

The couple will live in Winslow, where Matthew works for an architectural firm. Anna is still pursuing a degree in psychology.

"I knew this was coming," Esther said of the wedding. "I told him, don't throw her away if she makes you happy."

Saturday was a happy day, the first of many that Matthew and Antoinette hope to share.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.