<DIV><p>Kinaaldá, the ceremony associated with the onset of a girl's puberty, is an important Navajo rite within the Blessingway complex. Derived from the experiences of Changing Woman, the puberty ceremony has been passed through generations and continues to be observed throughout Navajoland.</p><p>An acknowledged classic, Kinaaldá remains the most complete "outsider" account of this important ceremony. Charlotte Frisbie's lucid description takes the reader through the four-day ritual, describing sequence, daily activities, restrictions, observances that include the girl's race toward the east, and an analysis of the ceremonial music, complete with notations and translation.</p><p>To give readers a better sense of why, Frisbie relates the beliefs and practices expressed in Kinaaldá to origin accounts conveyed by medicine people and to explanations and discussions with other Navajos.</p><p> </p></DIV>