YEHA-NOHA (Wishes Of Happiness And Prosperity)

• Performed by: Kee Chee Jake
• From the album: Sacred Spirit, Chants And Dances Of The Native Americans
• Track time: 4:03
• Traditional Navajo chant

AH-UH NAYAY TOR-SHNA NENA-NAY-YAYAH
NENA-NAY-YAY YEHA-NOHA (NOHA)
AH-UH NAYAY TOR-SHNA NENA-NAY-YAYAH
YEHA-NOHA (NOHA)

The words above are lyrics to the international hit Yeha-Noha (Wishes Of Happiness And Prosperity). This chant is part of the Enemy Way Chant or called in the Navajo language Ndaa'. It is a healing song sung to cleanse and heal Navajos, often warriors who have come in contact with ghosts. Navajo veterans of the United States Armed Forces use this ceremony to purify themselves after returning from the service. The title which is appropriate, as mentioned is sung to cleanse and heal warriors, now often a family or loved one and to simply wish them happiness and prosperity.

The title itself is interesting. The 'h' in Yeha is actually pronounced with an 'n' so instead of saying Yeha-Noha, it is pronounced as if saying "Yena-Noha."

This song is only supposed to be sung by a medicine man of the Navajo Nation. Kee Chee Jake is a singer of traditional Navajo songs and his voice is also heard on track 2 of Sacred Spirit with the song: Tor-Cheney-Nahana (Winter Ceremony). His vocals is featured again in "Sacred Spirit II, More Chants And Dances Of The Native Americans", on track 6: Yane-Heja-Hee. Yane-Heja-Hee is also another winter ceremony song. Other Kee Chee Jake vocals are heard on "Navajo Songs From Canyon De Chelly," and "Brule One Nation: A Tribal Gathering Of Voices."

On a sad note, Kee Chee Jake sadly passed away September 11, 1999. Brule One Nation: A Tribal Gathering Of Voices was one of his last projects.

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