Native American Tribes E-Book

MultiPress Media

• Herausgeber: Quick Reads
• Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Are you curious to know about the fascinating traditions of the Navajo people? 

Embark on a captivating journey through the rich history and vibrant culture of the Navajo people in "Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Navajo People." 

Here's why you should purchase this book NOW:

* Immerse yourself in the captivating history of the Navajo people, from ancient origins to modern-day resilience.

* Gain a deep understanding of their unique cultural practices, art, and spirituality.

* Discover the inspiring stories of Navajo leaders and their contributions to the tribe's heritage.

* Uncover the beauty of Navajo traditions, including weaving, jewelry-making, and sacred ceremonies.

Ready to explore the Navajo way of life? Purchase this book now and delve into the captivating world of the Navajo people, as their history and culture come alive before your eyes. Let their story enrich your understanding and appreciation for this extraordinary Native American tribe.

Leseprobe

NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES

The History and Culture of the Navajo People

By

MultiPress Media

Legal Note

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Disclaimer

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All Rights Reserved.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

EARLY HISTORY OF THE NAVAJO PEOPLE

CHAPTER 2

THE TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO (FROM 1846–1863)

CHAPTER 3

LONG WALK OF THE NAVAJO PEOPLE TO BOSQUE REDONDO

Reservation Era

CHAPTER 4

BOARDING SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

CHAPTER 5

NAVAJO LIVESTOCK REDUCTION (FROM 1930s–1950s)

CHAPTER 6

NAVAJO'S ORIGIN AND CULTURE

Navajo Traditional Beliefs and Spirituality: Embracing Hózhǫ́ǫ́gį́į́

CHAPTER 7

NAVAJO DAILY LIFE AND TRADITIONS

CHAPTER 8

NAVAJO ECONOMY AND LIVELIHOODS

CHAPTER 9

NAVAJO HEROES AND LEGENDS

CHAPTER 10

THE NAVAJO NATION TODAY

CHAPTER 11

NAVAJO EDUCATION AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION

CONCLUSION

Preserving the Navajo Legacy

INTRODUCTION

The Navajo people, also spelled Navaho, are a Native American tribe from the Southwestern United States. With a significant population of over 399,494 enrolled tribal members as of 2021, the Navajo Nation is the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States. Moreover, their reservation is the largest in the country, covering an expansive area of more than 27,325 square miles (70,000 square km). This vast reservation spans the Four Corners region, spanning across the states of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. To provide a sense of scale, the Navajo Reservation is slightly larger than the state of West Virginia.

The Navajo language holds prominence within the region, serving as a primary mode of communication among the Navajo people. However, it is worth noting that a significant number of Navajos are also fluent in English, fostering bilingualism within their community.

The states of Arizona and New Mexico are home to the largest Navajo populations, boasting figures of 140,263 and 108,306, respectively. These two states collectively house over three-fourths of the enrolled Navajo population, showcasing their concentrated presence and influence in the region.

In addition to the Navajo Nation proper, a small group of Navajos are recognized as members of the federally recognized Colorado River Indian Tribes, expanding their tribal connections and affiliations.

CHAPTER 1

EARLY HISTORY OF THE NAVAJO PEOPLE

The Navajo people, also known as the Diné, have a unique cultural and linguistic heritage that shapes their identity. Their language, Diné bizaad, is a Southern Athabaskan language belonging to the Na-Dené language family. It holds significant importance to the Navajo, who refer to it as the "people's language." The Navajo language consists of two geographic, mutually intelligible dialects. The Navajo and Apache languages also share close linguistic ties, as both tribes migrated from northwestern Canada and eastern Alaska, where most Athabaskan speakers reside. Other Athabaskan language speakers in Canada can still understand Navajo despite geographical and linguistic differences, highlighting the shared roots within the broader language family.

Based on archaeological and historical evidence, it is believed that the Navajo and Apache tribes settled in the Southwest by 1400 AD. The Navajo initially relied on hunting and gathering for sustenance, but they learned farming techniques from neighboring Pueblo peoples, which transformed their way of life. The Navajo adopted the Pueblos' traditional agricultural practices, cultivating the "Three Sisters" corn, beans, and squash crops. Over time, they also embraced sheep and goat herding, which became a vital component of their diet and a symbol of family status. Navajo women began spinning and weaving wool into beautiful blankets and clothing, which held significant cultural value and were traded among different communities.

The relationship between the Navajo and Pueblo peoples throughout history was complex and marked by connections and tensions. Trading practices were established between the two groups, but ongoing conflicts led the Pueblo people to restrict access to traditional practices and imagery and close off certain traditions to avoid Navajo raids. There are still ongoing challenges related to the appropriation of Pueblo imagery and cultural significance by Navajo individuals. This can be observed in the Nike subdivision known as N7. Spanish records from the mid-16th century recount the trade of maize, woven cotton goods, bison meat, hides, and stone between the Pueblo and migrating Athabaskan groups settled in or around the Pueblos. During the 18th century, the Spanish observed that the Navajo people had vast livestock herds and were proficient in cultivating large crop areas. This indicated their increasing presence and agricultural skills.

Before the 1600s, the Spanish referred to the Navajo as Apaches or Quechos. It is unclear when the Navajo became distinct from their Apache relatives, but the term "Navahu" originated from the Tewa language. By the 1640s, the Spanish began using the term Navajo to refer to the Diné. During the 1670s, the Spanish documented that the Diné resided in a region called Dinétah, approximately 60 miles west of the Rio Chama Valley. In the 1770s, the Spanish conducted military expeditions against the Navajo in Mount Taylor and Chuska Mountains in the regions of New Mexico. Despite occasional conflicts, the Navajo, Pueblo, and Hopi peoples maintained trade and formed loose alliances to combat Apache and Comanche bands.

In 1800, Governor Fernando Chacón led a military expedition of 500 men against the Navajo, resulting in twenty Navajo chiefs seeking peace. Subsequent years saw major expeditions and intermittent peace agreements between the Navajo and Spanish, characterized by periods of raiding, trading, and alliances with neighboring tribes. These patterns continued until the arrival of the Americans in 1846, heralding a new chapter in the Navajo people's history.