Thursday, April 7, 2016
ETHNOGRAPHIC POST - Ammaar Mohammed
Introduction
The Navajo Nation are a semi autonomous Native American territory which covers portions of 3 states of the US - Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Covering an area of nearly 71,000 sq/km, the Navajo Nation is considered to be having the largest area of land ever retained by a US tribe. As the language spoken by the Nvajos is somehow to similar to the Apache language, the Navajo Nation's real name in its native language is "Naabeeho Binahasdzo."
Population and Code Talkers
Today, the Navajo Nation has an estimated population of over 250,000. Even though they have a significant population, they are still striving to grow their economy in the best way possible. The Navajos were often regarded as common Native American tribes which had been living in the lands for centuries until the discovery of oil in the 1920s which had made Navajo Nation as a wealthy tribal nation. Following the discovery of oil, the Navajo nation looked forward to make more progress in making and forming its own government. Many people would not know this but that Navajos had played really important roles in important wars and battles the United States were involved in. During World War II, and America's war on the Empire Of Japan (Iwo Jima); the Navajo tribals were often regarded as code talkers. The Navajo men would be selected and would be on the front line creating codes to deceive those on the other side of the battlefield. Major Howard Connor, who served during the Iwo Jima war said, "Were it not for the Navajos, the marines would have never taken Iwo Jima." Today, the Navajos are regarded as the Navajo code talkers who's patriotism and bravery is completely unequaled.
Religion and Ceremonial Rituals
The Navajo religion is considered equal to polytheism. Navajo Gods and supernatural deities are many and varied. The most important among them are the anthropomorphic deities such as the Changing Woman or the Spider Woman, the consort of the Sun God, and their two sons - The Monster Slayers. In the Navajo religion, some animals are believed to possess some kind of supernatural powers and so are natural phenomena such as wind, light, thunder, darkness etc. The most respected of the Navajo religious practitioners are called the singers. Because of their superiority and respect in the community, they are often informally referred to as priests and the holiest man in the community. What makes the Navajo ceremonies so interesting is that they have a ritual for uncommon things like agriculture, war, hunting, and the treatment of illnesses.
Marriages and Arts
Marriages in Navajo cultures had always been monogamous until recently it has been said that polygamy has been allowed in their cultures. Until now, nearly 10 percent of the Navajo men have 2 wives. Marriages in Navajo culture has now been polygamous, but the divorce rate has been fairly high. Art in Navajo culture are regarded to be of main importance. Folk songs, art, dances, poetry, and costumes are some of the main topics of the Navajo artistic culture. Today, Navajo artists are held with high respect and have often called painters who have their own studios in many western cities.
Work Cited
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_Nation
"Monitoring and analysis of sand dune movement and growth on the navajo nation, southwestern United States." Redsteer M, Bogle R, Vogel J. 2011. Web 28 April 2016.
"Strong Navajo Marriages." Skogrand L, Mueller M, Arrington R, Rosenbrand R. January 1 2008. Accessed April 28 2016.
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I found the information regarding the ethnographic post for the Navajo nation very interesting. As each culture in this world has different views and rituals they follow, the Navajo tribe is also described to be one of the most unique tribes and nation with quite similar rituals and customs to many modern cultures. For example, the monogamy form of marriages which are said to be one of the main customs of the Navajo nation. It is similar because even we, as modern era people, follow monogamy and consider it to be really common. Polygamy is also practiced in the Navajo nation and so is it followed in normal cultures.
ReplyDeleteTalking about the Navajo religion, every religion has a different viewpoint. The religion is very unique in every aspect. They are rather considered to be more than just polytheists. They have a belief in things which have never been known to common people such as in the consort of the Sun God. They even have different belief systems and the worship of supernatural powers, natural phenomena such as thunder, wind, light, darkness.
It was also interesting to know that the navajo nation were more likely independent and were allowed to follow their customs and rituals with full respect. Even though technically they are ruled and governed by the United States, they are allowed to have a small house of representatives which makes it even more unique and shows that such tribes are not neglected and left behind. Overall, the navajo nation has been known for its rituals and customs to common people as something really unusual and bizarre. When a person dies, they make sure that the deceased is buried properly conducting their necessary rituals properly soon after his or her death. They believe that by not doing so, the dead might return back to the living world. Thus early burial is an important aspect in the navajo world.
It is said that there are 50 navajo rituals and ceremonies. Most of these rituals are conducted and carried on by an experienced tribe member or a healer. Almost all ceremonies have singing, music, and dance. I find this pretty much close to my own culture. Even though I keep no ancestry or lineage to any tribe, back in my country where we belong there are certain ceremonies where singing, music, and dancing is also a part of the occasion. We shall therefore understand that the navajo people are normal people like us and have some rituals which are different from ours which make them a unique group of people only in that aspect.