People of the Legends
Indigenous People of North America - Navajo
Culture and Customs - Beliefs
The Holy People
The Navajo believe there are two groups of people: earth people and Holy People – spirit beings that we can’t see. Some of the Holy People are:
- Changing Woman – who created the Navajo people
- Spider Woman – who taught them to weave
- Talking God – who taught them how to build houses
- Coyote – a trickster who taught them many lessons.
Navajo artists make sandpaintings for ceremonies, often showing the Holy People.
They are powerful beings and the ancient art of the sandpainting asks for their blessing and help.
Living in harmony
The Navajo try to live in harmony with Mother Earth and with other people. They believe that everything has its place in the universe, even the smallest thing.
Everything is related – people, plants, animals, mountains and the Earth itself. Each thing, or being, has its own spirit or inner strength. This helps people to find a purpose in life and connect with other people and things.
Caring for the land
The Navajo believe they must care for their land and its sacred places, by physical work and also by giving offerings, prayers and songs. Respecting the land means living on it to take care of it. The land is sacred.
Betty Tso, a traditional Navajo has said:
"We the five-fingered beings are related to the four-legged, the winged beings, the spritual beings, Father Sky, Mother Earth, and nature. We are all relatives. We cannot leave our relations behind."
Ceremonies and visions
Navajo spiritual beliefs are called the Navajo Way. Special ceremonies are performed by tribal healers as part of these beliefs.
Many people believe that visions can come from dreams, prayers and rituals, and by eating dried peyote cactus. Ingredients in this cactus make people feel fuzzy – as if they are in a trance.
