miércoles, 25 de junio de 2008

The ancient and modern rituals of the Navajo tribe

The traditional Navajo life has remained very strong throughout the history of the tribe until our time it is for this reason that there are more similarities than differences between the rituals of ancient Navajo tribe and the current Navajo tribe.

The main similarity occur when one of the members of the tribe gets sick, because as in the past the sick person receive traditional medicine from a man who is called Hataali, the ritual of healing attending the family of the sick person and some dancers who wear masks and costumes with which they sing and dance around Hataali while that the sick person takes a shower with medicinal plants. Also at the time in which a girl reaches her age fertile, she receive a celebration with an ancient ritual dances that can last three days and that was practiced a long time. On the other hand one of the best preserved rituals it is the teaching of their beliefs that takes place in early spring and consists of a series of chants at night with the presence of all the families of the reserve.

However, the evolution of the world contributed to the existence of some differences between old and modern rituals, an example of these differences is the disappearance of the ritual cleansing of the soul and body as in the past the man who came from the War had a special ritual, in which the Hataali painted the body of men who came of the battles whit de objective of absorb the blood of the dead, but because in this tribe has no battles with anyone in this ritual missing.

In conclusion Navajo although the tribe has maintained many of their rites there are some who have disappeared due to the evolution of civilization.

martes, 24 de junio de 2008

viernes, 20 de junio de 2008


The aim of this essay is show the most representative aspects of Navajo Members in order to analyze the similarities and differences founded between two people considered heores by their tribe. In spite of the amount of differences their lives had they managed to find a way of succeed and help others.

Albert Hale and Samuel Billison shared the fact of being members of the Navajo Nation and being born in Arizona, also they found their path to help people in laws, although one of them still works for his tribe as the former president of the Navajo Nation. . Albert Hale is also a senator and served as assistant attorney and special counsel for many years, which implies the good level of education and comfortable life that received inside the tribe, while Samuel Billison had to attend the army (US) receiving discrimination from others by the color of his skin and the lack of enough education.

Them, Samuel Billison left the army with knowledge in army matters as weapons, strategies and laws, the one that interested him, and he took advantage of it by reorganizing the educational system of Navajo tribe. On the other hand, Albert Hale used all his knowledge in laws to
create a water rights commission, to make negotiation efforts in diverse fields, to represent Navajo clients in federal, state and various tribal courts and to make campains against tobacco companies.

To conclude, to be hero is not necessary fly or possess magical powers, all this people needed was the courage and willing to help despite their life conditions and obviously the similarities or differences that were presented through their lives.


The Navajo people tribe has existed since the XVI century and currently is one of a few tribes in The United States that have survived. The Navajo people have well-know for their religion and ceremonies, although they adopted some important points about the American culture. That essay refers some similarities and differences about old and new religion and ceremonies practice by Navajo tribe.

The majority of Navajo ceremonies are for curing mental and physical problems and for restoring universal harmony. In ceremonies practice by the Navajo people used altars or many day painting that representing the characters and myths. Compared with now they also practice the Christianity where they go to the church, venerating is one good and prays for their soul.

Enemy way was a ceremony practice by them, where seemingly they were recovering of the diseases and they were designating medicines in their rituals. Although, also they have been modify that because they began to go a hospital and take drugs gives by physician.

Religion and ceremonies practice by Navajo people have been change for the American custom. Furthermore these changes contribute for better lifestyles in their health and their preservation.

jueves, 19 de junio de 2008



The name "Navajo" comes from the late 18th century via the Spanish (Apaches de) Navajó "(Apaches of) Navajó", which was derived from the Tewa navahū "fields adjoining a ravine". The Navajo call themselves Dine, which is translated to mean "the people" (most Native American groups call themselves by names that mean "the people"). Nonetheless, most Navajo now acquiesce to being called "Navajo."

Traditionally, like other Apacheans, the Navajo were semi-nomadic in the 16th century into the 20th century. Their extended kinship groups would have seasonal dwelling areas to accommodate livestock, agriculture and gathering practices. As part of their traditional economy, Navajo groups may have formed trading or raiding parties, traveling relatively long distances.



has almost destroyed the Navajo world. These teachings almost disappeared. Our young people have found it difficult to exist in both worlds and some feel like they don't fit in either world. But now, we as a people are wiser, and like a relative that has been sick, we are making our culture well again. Like a very old grandfather, it holds the knowledge to take care of the family, the Clan, the Navajo Nation, and Mother Earth. We are very serious about what we are doing. We are gaining a greater respect for our old teachings. For they will take care of us individually and as people.