Learn to Play Zuni Sunset Song on the Native American Style Flute

This beautiful Zuni song was written down by Carlos Troyer (1837-1920) after witnessing the Zuni Sunset Ceremony on his first visit to the Zuni people. “At the instance of the sun touching the boarder of the horizon at sunset, the Zunis assembled upon the highest cliffs and housetops to sing their Song of Praise. They face the sun with uplifted hands (palms outwards) and bow with graceful rhythmic motion - upward and downward at every measure of the song in the manner of a “Salaam“ which they repeat continuously, until the sun sinks out of sight. The chant takes about one minute to sing and the Sun-worshippers sing it five times, which is the limit the sun occupies in its downward course after its first contact with the horizon. During the first four repetitions of the song, the worshippers remain standing; in the last repetition, they are kneeling (on one knee); and in the final, prostrate themselves towards the sun, in silence.“