Navajo Nation free essay sample

The Navajo Nation Hope Thatcher Intro. Cultural Anthropology Dr. Janis McFaul February, 6 2012 The Navajo nation is the largest native tribe in the United States. They are a society built on harmony with Mother Earth. They believe that everything has a purpose whether it be good or evil. They rely on the land for nourishment and medicine. They are a proud tribe and have close family unity. The Navajo are a peaceful tribe and strong in values. Introduction I will discuss a few interesting topics with you in this essay. The Navajo Nation, is in my option, is one of the most beautiful tribes. The name â€Å"Navajo† comes from the Pueblo Indian word for planting fields. The name was given to this tribe because they were farmers. The Navajo ways of family structure is strong and proud. Children do not want to disappoint their parents. Harmony is a daily goal. The respect for one another is a beautiful thing. The basic principle of K†e, meaning relationships comprised of kindness, love, cooperation, thoughtfulness, friendliness, and peacefulness guides interaction among family members in the extended matrilineal kinship network and among clan members†. (Morgan, F. 2002; Witherspoon 1983) The Navajo nation are proud people who are deserving of great respect. Their harmonious ways could be a template for others to follow. Horticulturalist The Navajo were traditionally cultivators, although many now herd sheep, which they acquired from the Spanish†. (Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia) They have four primary plants that they harvest; beans, corn, squash, and tobacco. Corn being the most important. The Navajo share a spiritual connection with Mother Earth, so knowledge and respect of the plants is passed on to the children. The use of sheep was also an important part of the Navajo way. Not only were the sheep used for food (mutton), it also provided clothing, blankets, and rugs from the wool. Belief and Values The Navajo believe they travel through three other worlds before entering this world. The number four is predominate within the Navajo society. There are four sacred mountains that are associated with four colors, four directions, and also the first four clans. There are four aspects of importance in the life journey of the Navajo. First is the importance of religion. These ways are intertwined with their daily lives. Secondly, is food. The importance of this aspect is strong, for the daughters will become the primary meal provider for her family when she marries. The boys need this knowledge for when they become hunters. The third aspect is water. The importance of water is a spiritual experience. It is considered to be a gift from the Holy People. Fourth brings the plants. The spiritual connection between the Navajo and Mother Earth brings great respect for the gifts of nature. These ways are proudly passed from a mother to her children. In their ways, life revolves around Mother Nature. The Navajo believe that there are two classes of people: Earth people and Holy People. The Holy People are believed to have passed through other worlds, thus taking them to the fifth world. This is where the Holy People created the first man and first woman. These are the ancestors of the Earth People. The Holy People have moved on to live in other realms above the earth. The Earth People must do everything they can to maintain harmony with Mother Earth. The first man and woman created the plants and animals from a sacred medicine bag. While doing so, the sacred mountains were created. The first man and woman are responsible for creating the first four pairs of Navajo, which are the founders of the original Navajo clan. Ceremonies are performed to restore harmony. There are purification ceremonies, for example, the blessing of the hogan (home) through singing, praying and pollen sprinkling. The unraveling of herbs and feathers symbolizes the purification of evil and the attraction of good. The Navajo believe that everything has a purpose – be it good or evil. It is important that everything remain in balance. There are more than fifty different kinds of ceremonies that may be used by the Navajo, performed at various times for various reasons. These ceremonies can last for several hours while others may last for nine days. Sickness and Healing There are those who have modernized and go to the local hospital for treatment of ailments, yet there are still those who visit the Medicine Man for his wisdom and ability to cure them. The Medicine Man has super-natural abilities to diagnose and treat ailments. There are three branches of health practitioners – herbalist, shaman, and medicine man. The herbalist are mostly female. They deal with herbs used for systematic relief. The herbalist were mainly mothers tending to their family. The shaman were used to come up with a diagnoses of an ailment, thus referring people to the medicine man. Within the Navajo spiritual healing process, the cause of sickness is the most important. They believe the sickness is not known by the symptoms of illness or what part of the body is affected, but rather the casual agents. The Navajo practice three diagnostic methods – stargazing, listening, and hand-trembling. Among these three methods, hand-trembling is most commonly utilized. Possible cause of an ailment could be the result of violating taboos. Such things as; exposure to snakes or contact with lightning-struck objects are reasons for healing. Some complain of witches that do them harm. When Navajo come in contact with the dead or dying, illness is considered to be a mental disorder. If one has bad thoughts or words while it is raining, they are considered as having no respect for the rain. The sacred forces will punish them, thus the need for spiritual cleansing. Social Change In 1868, the Navajo signed a treaty with the United States Government to reside on a reservation. Prior to WWII (which lasted from 1939 to 1945), the subsistence of the Navajo was farming and herding. Barter was the means of exchange. â€Å"In the 1930s and 1940s, Navajos again suffered under the U. S. Indian policies when they were forced to reduce their livestock because of overgrazing†. (Denetdale, 2006) After WWII, the civil rights movement brought great changes to the Navajo people. The United States as a whole came into great change. Automobiles were purchased and highways were built. Thus opening opportunity for people to experience the Navajo nation through tourism. This opened a new way for the Navajo. The traditional barter system ended. People came from all around to purchase the goods that the Navajo had to offer. Jewelery and rugs were a couple of profitable items that change the Navajo Nation. By the 1950s, the camp-like living was diminishing. The traditional hogans were replaced with modernized houses. Although, the hogans still hold an importance for ceremonial purpose. The Navajo nation has expanded to 16 million acres, covering northeastern Arizona, northwestern Mexico, and southeastern Utah. This is the largest Indian Reservation in the United States. As what some call progress of a nation, there are those that believe that things that are run by tradition are strong and have been for hundreds of years. â€Å"These differences and similarities of Navajo life today from the past will help determine the future of the people. Respect, responsibility, knowledge, and hospitality can ensure Navajo continuance†. (Lee, 2007) The roles of the society are strongly withheld throughout the clan. Navajos believe they are capable of running all aspects of their nation, They now have a more governed way to live, but their ways of tradition still play a strong role of everyday living. Conclusion In closing, I would like to highlight upon the harmony of a tribe that was forced to change their lives to accommodate invaders of their land. These people have endured many great tragities along their way, yet remain with the harmony of one another and their surroundings. The relationships of the Navajo society are very strong. The respect of each other is a natural way. The spiritual connection with Mother Earth is the foundation of their being.