History Of The Navajo Indians

The Navajo Indians have a rich spiritual culture. There are many sacred aspects to their religious practices and beliefs. One very interesting aspect is the healing ceremonies in which their Shaman or medicine man, as we might call him create sand paintings. I will be providing a brief history and the significance of these religious items more specifically sand paintings and the purposes and beliefs that surround them as well as discussing the debate that has sparked over their being produced in a permanent art form.
It is thought that the Navajo Indians may have gotten some of their rituals and agricultural knowledge from the Pueblo Indians of the Rio Grande area. This may be in part because of the fact that there are at least 160 documented similarities between the two Indian nations. These include murals that appear on kiva walls, sand paintings, the use of colors that are symbolic, prayer sticks, and other ceremonial similarities(Griffin-pierce 1955:13).
Navajo people believe that there was a group of beings on the earth before man existed here. They are referred to as the “Holy People” also known as “Dineh”. The names given to these divine beings are “First Man”, “Changing Woman”, “Spider Woman”, “Monster Slayer”, “Born of/for Water” and many others. It is believed that these holy people had many designs that where sacred and kept on spider webs, buckskin, and clouds as well as sections of the sky. Navajo legend states that when “First Man” guided the “First People” to this world they had the permission of the other “dineh” to copy these sacred images so that they would have a means to enlist the aid of the Holy people when needed. The only stipulation that was placed was that they could only be made with sand on the g...

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...ainting motifs you need to know how to construct the loom, spin the yarn, and the skill to weave the patterns. This takes many years of training as well as dedication because of the amount of time that is needed to do so.
My favorite aspect of this project was learning all of the different aspects of making the sand paintings. Especially, the ceremonial ones because they are the ones that need to be perfect in accordance with Navajo tradition and belief to work.
The sand paintings that are done for tourist and commercial sale also need extensive training because of the many unique aspects to this craft. You have to know which rocks, plants, and sands need to be used in order to produce the desired effect. What type of adhesive to use and the proper board to use as a background. All of these aspects are crucial in the creation and successful marketing of these works.