Navajo creation myth
The Navajo creation myth is a profound narrative that outlines the origins of the Navajo people, known as the Diné, and reflects their cultural identity. This myth describes a journey through four distinct worlds, detailing how the first man and woman emerged and the creation of natural phenomena such as fire, day, and night. Each world presents unique challenges and characters, including mythical beings known as Holy People, who guide the Diné in learning to coexist harmoniously with nature. The narrative also emphasizes themes of balance and the interconnectedness of life, highlighting the significance of key elements like corn, which symbolizes fertility and sustenance. Additionally, the story illustrates the necessity of leaving earlier worlds due to conflict and overcrowding, ultimately leading to the emergence of the Fourth World, where recognizable humanity and the complexities of life, such as death and suffering, are introduced. This creation myth, rich in symbolism and spiritual significance, serves as a vital aspect of Navajo oral tradition and cultural practices.
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Navajo creation myth
The Navajo creation myth is a story told by the Native American Navajo people about their origins which serves as part of the cultural identity of the Navajo people. It is the story of a journey through four worlds of the first Navajo, or Diné, people as they came to be humans on Earth. It also provides explanation of how other natural phenomena, such as daytime and nighttime, came into being. The story depicts worlds being destroyed, so it may also be seen as a cautionary tale for the future. Various versions of the myth contain complex and unique characters in adventurous situations.
Background
The Native American Navajo people are a large group of Indigenous North American people native to the southwest. They are closely related to the Apache and are thought to have migrated down from Canada. They are related to other Athabaskan-language-speaking peoples, who are mostly found in northwestern Canada and Alaska.
Spirituality is central to Navajo beliefs and customs, so the traditional creation stories contain strong spiritual elements, god-like beings called Holy People, or animals with supernatural powers. As in many other Native American cultures, a clan system bonds individuals and families together. The creation myth also has a distinct variety among clans, especially since it was mainly part of oral history passed down from one generation to the next. These oral creation stories also were used as the basis for other legends that expanded on similar characters and the origins of other important components in the daily lives of Navajo people.
The creation myth is also full of symbolism important to the Navajo. Men and women as seen as being essential to the survival of each other, and a perfect ear of corn, which serves as a symbol of fertility, usually is told as being created with the first man and woman. Other essential elements of the myth include darkness and light, as well as water and land. Four is considered a sacred number, and it is well-represented in most versions of the creation myth. Animals, spirits, and other creatures interact with the first people, and many stories contain complex characters that explain how things came to their state in the present world.
Stories also stress the need for balance between humans, Earth, and spirits. The first people had to leave early worlds because of crowding and offensive behavior. In the stories, the mythological Holy People did their best to try to teach the first people how to live in harmony with Earth. These Holy People, who now reside in other, non-Earthly realms, remain in spiritual balance through traditional ceremonies and rituals.
Overview
The Navajo creation myth tells of a First World called Ni’hodilhil, a floating island in either mist or water, consumed in darkness. It had four corners that looked like clouds in each of the four cardinal directions. Each of these clouds was a different color and contained the elements to build the First World: the black cloud was in the north and contained night, the white cloud was in the east with dawn in it, the blue cloud was in the south with daylight in it, and the yellow cloud was at the west with twilight in it.
The First World was where the first man and the first woman were formed. The man came from where the black cloud met the white cloud, and the woman was formed from where the yellow cloud met the blue cloud. Alongside the man was formed a perfect white ear of corn, and alongside the woman, a perfect yellow ear of corn was formed.
Some stories also explain that the form of the first humans was not of humankind of the present world, but more of fluid or mist without a definite structure. The story usually also tells how the man and woman created fire from precious stones: the man created it from crystal, and the woman from turquoise. They saw evidence of each other, and the woman went to the man’s larger fire. Coyote spirit-people and insect-like creatures join the first people until the First World is full of creatures.
The First World becomes crowded and the inhabitants fight with one other. First Man, First Woman, and others leave that world to go to the Second World, or the blue world called Ni’hodootl’izh. This world is home to animals with bluish fur and birds, including the chief of the world who is a swallow. The Swallow Chief initially welcomes the people, but then later tells them they must leave because he does not approve of their behavior and does not want them crowding the Second World.
The Third World is the yellow world, or Ni’Haltsooi, where the First Man and First Woman next journey. It is usually said to have two rivers and sacred mountains with other animal-like creatures or Holy People living there. The First Woman also gives birth to several sets of twins in this world, and many people come into existence. However, in this world, a great flood occurs, and the people must escape to the Fourth World to survive.
The Fourth World is the last and is known as the white world, called Ni’hodisxos. Sometimes, it is also referred to as the “Glittering World.” Here, the soil from the Second World becomes the sacred mountains, and the sun, moon, and stars are created as they exist in their present forms. The people born in this world are in the form of recognizable humans, and the four original clans of the Navajo people are created. However, in this world, death as well as other problems of humanity, such as aging, sickness, and hunger, also come into the lives of people.
Bibliography
Baldwin Lewis, Ray. “Diné Way of Life.” Discover Navajo, discovernavajo.com/navajo-culture/. Accessed 16 April 2023.
Carey, Harold Jr. “Navajo Creation Story – The First World ‘Nihodilhil’ (Black World).” Navajo People, navajopeople.org/blog/navajo-creation-story-the-first-world-nihodilhil-black-world/. Accessed 16 April 2023.
“Dine (Navajo) Creation Story.” AAA Native Arts, 2023, www.aaanativearts.com/dine-navajo-creation-story. Accessed 16 April 2023.
Gallo, Leah Noel. “An Origin Story: The Navajo.” Penn State, 26 March 2019, sites.psu.edu/wisdom/2019/03/26/an-origin-story-the-navajo/. Accessed 16 April 2023.
Mike, Aaron. “A Navajo’s Creation Story.” Natives Outdoors, 1 Sept. 2021, natives-outdoors.com/temoajournal/2021/9/1/a-navajos-creation-story. Accessed 16 April 2023.
“Navajo – Religion and Expressive Culture.” Every Culture, 2023, www.everyculture.com/North-America/Navajo-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html. Accessed 16 April 2023.
“Navajo Culture.” Explore Navajo, 2023, www.explorenavajo.com/navajo-culture.html. Accessed 16 April 2023.