Navajo Culture
Let's talk more about Navajos!
A lot has changed since the old treaty days, but the several things have still been maintained. Being the largest American Indian tribe, some Diné, as they call themselves, have decided to live off the reservation. With everything changing so fast in today's world i want to point out a few differences in Navajo culture.
Homes
Then:
- Hogans, special wood framework that has clay packed into a dome shape with a door facing east.
Now:
- Modern homes or apartments
However, today Hogans are still built for religious and cultural purposes, and because why the hell not?
Clothes
Then:
- Men wore breechcloths, and women wore skirts. Shirts weren't necessary, but if they felt like it they could wear ponchos, cloaks of rabbit fur, and moccasins for their bare feet.
Now:
- Velveteen shirts and blouses, and jeans instead of breechcloths or skirts.
It's important to not that the Diné people did not wear headdresses, and face or body paint is only used for religious reasons.
Transportation
Then:
- Walking, or travois, a drag sled, to help carry their belongings. Horses weren't used until the colonists arrived.
Now:
- Cars, duhhh, unless of course they would like to be more traditional.
Food
Then:
- Mutton, Kneel down bread, blue corn mush, prairie dog, fry bread, Navajo taco.
Now:
The same food from back then, but also some mixed with today's basic American diet.
Of course the Navajos are really good about incorporating American modern tradition with their old ones, so I wanted to name a few Diné celebrities.
- Jeremiah Bitsui
- Geraldine Keams
- Harrison Begay
- R.C. Gorman
- Hosteen Klah
- Melanie Yazzie
- Cory Witherill
- Jacoby Ellsbury
- Rickie Fowler
- Radmilla Cody
These were just a few of many Navajo celebrities. I'll make sure to link my sources below. I'm really interested in Jeremy Corbell's new movie coming out in Sept. it's called Hunting the Skinwalker. I'm thinking, maybe I'll do a post relating to Skinwalkers next. I don't know, I'm really interested in knowing more.
See ya later betch,
xoxoMichelle
https://www.aaanativearts.com/native-american-chiefs-leaders-quotes/famous-navajo
http://navajopeople.org/navajo-culture.htm
https://www.ihs.gov/navajo/navajonation/