Navajo
Navajo
The Navajo tribe is the largest Native American group in Arizona. They first descended from the Apaches, who came from the Pueblos, also known as the Anasazi. The Navajo are known for weaving blankets, raising sheep, and generally being a peaceful tribe (Bial). The Navajo has a much grounded belief system, and partake in ritual ceremonies. They had well-kept and sacred beliefs.The Navajo women were primary leaders in society and well respected for their work they performed. They represented themselves with their fine arts, and they possessed many talents. The Navajo had no written language until recently there for there has been many interpreted tales. For hundreds of years the Navajo lived in the Dinetah, which extends over northeastern Arizona and western New Mexico as well as some parts of Utah and Colorado. The Navajo county is marked by deep canyons as well as towering mountains. Their landscape includes pale green sage, greasewood, yucca, and brittle grass. The traditional home land of the Navajo is said to be marked by the direction of the four sacred mountains: Sis Naajini (Blanca Peak) which is in the east, Doo Ko’oosliid(San Francisco Peaks) in the west, Tsodzilh(Mount Taylor) is in the south and Di-be Nitsaa (Hesperus Peak ) in the north. Although the Navajo may not be able to physically see all four peaks from their hogans, they believe in their hearts that from these sacred places come, theplants, animals, and minerals. They also believe not only plants and animals were sacred, but all the rocks and soil were sacred as well. The hogan is the traditional home for the Navajo tribe. The word “hooghan” means “home”. Homes were built of poles, bark, and mud, being approximately twenty-three feet in diameter. The doorway opened to the East, so as the sun can be welcomed and provide light (Bial). The hogan was primarily used to prepare meals, sleep, and provide shelter from rain. They were also used for healing ceremonies and burying the
The Navajo tribe is the largest Native American group in Arizona. They first descended from the Apaches, who came from the Pueblos, also known as the Anasazi. The Navajo are known for weaving blankets, raising sheep, and generally being a peaceful tribe (Bial). The Navajo has a much grounded belief system, and partake in ritual ceremonies. They had well-kept and sacred beliefs.The Navajo women were primary leaders in society and well respected for their work they performed. They represented themselves with their fine arts, and they possessed many talents. The Navajo had no written language until recently there for there has been many interpreted tales. For hundreds of years the Navajo lived in the Dinetah, which extends over northeastern Arizona and western New Mexico as well as some parts of Utah and Colorado. The Navajo county is marked by deep canyons as well as towering mountains. Their landscape includes pale green sage, greasewood, yucca, and brittle grass. The traditional home land of the Navajo is said to be marked by the direction of the four sacred mountains: Sis Naajini (Blanca Peak) which is in the east, Doo Ko’oosliid(San Francisco Peaks) in the west, Tsodzilh(Mount Taylor) is in the south and Di-be Nitsaa (Hesperus Peak ) in the north. Although the Navajo may not be able to physically see all four peaks from their hogans, they believe in their hearts that from these sacred places come, theplants, animals, and minerals. They also believe not only plants and animals were sacred, but all the rocks and soil were sacred as well. The hogan is the traditional home for the Navajo tribe. The word “hooghan” means “home”. Homes were built of poles, bark, and mud, being approximately twenty-three feet in diameter. The doorway opened to the East, so as the sun can be welcomed and provide light (Bial). The hogan was primarily used to prepare meals, sleep, and provide shelter from rain. They were also used for healing ceremonies and burying the
Cited: Falkenstien-Doyle, Cheri. "Early Navajo Textiles and Silver."Ornament 29.5 (2006): 36. MasterFILE Premier.EBSCO.Web. 25 July 2011. Schwartz, Jeffrey H. "Races, Types, and Ethnic Groups (Book Review)." LJ: Library Journal 100.17 (1975): 1840. MasterFILE Premier.EBSCO.Web. 25 July 2011. Bial, Raymond. The Navajo. New York: Benchmark, 05-9. Print. http://inkido.indiana.edu/w310work/romac/navajo.htm http://discovernavajo.com/culture.html