1. The Navajo Creation Myth
PWR 33: “Writing Nature”
7 March 2002

2. Creation stories
Express culture’s view of man’s location in the universe in relationship to other elements
Present reasons for that manner of existence
Provide context for thinking about ethical issues
In this case, environmental ethics

3. Navajo culture American Southwest: northern Arizona, new Mexico
Arrived between 1000 and 1500 AD
Raised crops and sheep
Conquest
Note: contradicting accounts of creation stories

4. Navajo Emergence Mythology
Abstract, potential forms existed in subterranean world. Were animated by Holy Wind (handout)
Unharmonious acts exile Air-Spirit People from lower 3 worlds; they climb upwards
Holy People create First Man and First Woman from corn; they have children
Estrangement of the genders, climb to last world
Creation of Navajo by Changing Woman

5. Sandpainting: Holy People

6. Significance of Emergence Myth
Seeds of potentiality in mists: allows every creature to have same “holy wind” – soul
Wind gives men breath
Inner forms of mountains
Evil/Good winds influence behavior
Likens human creation to process of seed germination, animal pregnancy
Bears some resemblance to evolutionary theory
Universe in motion

7. Emergence Myth and Hozho
Hohzo: roughly translates as balance, harmony, aesthetic appreciation
Tension btw. opposing
genders
directions
Colors (see right)

8. Gender in Navajo Creation
Earth as womb
Matrilineal society
Mirrors germination/gestation process of life
Conflict/separation of genders leads to creation of monsters – violates hozho
Changing Woman
Personification of earth
People in farming repeat divine actions
Explains responsibility of maintaining growth: “hozho”

9. Connection to Land
Creation story refers to specific landmarks in Four Corners area
Mountains/rivers have guiding spirits and forces
Direct tangible connection -evidence of overlying unity.

10. Relationship with Land
Male as light, female as dark: Mother Earth and Father Sky
Use of kinship terms to connote familial relationship

11. Relationship with Animals
Accompanied Air-People on journey
Animated by same force as mountains and people
Hunting exists with respect and prayer
Sandpainting “Coyote Stealing Fire” (right)

12. Current environmental action
Reduction of grazing in 1930’s to keep from damaging new dam – shift in Navajo economy
Tribes in AZ, NM, UT, and CO provide southern CA with 25% of its energy
Issue of tribal sovereignty vs. international economic and environmental concerns

13. Recap Emergence myth parallels natural life processes
Idea of “hozho”: unity and balance in actions with regard to surroundings
Gender emphasis and tension
Unifying force in both traditionally ‘animate’ and ‘inanimate’ objects
Emphasis on relationship with natural world

14. Thank you!