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them to Fort Sumner. Kit Carson
rounded up the Navajos, though many hid near such locations
as Canyon de Chelly and Navajo Mountain. The Dineh refused to
surrender, despite Carson destroying their crops and sheep,
burning their villages, and killing their families.
Those who survived were sent to Fort Sumner on the "Long
Walk," during which approximately 200 Navajos died due
to starvation and cruel treatment. Fort Sumner was bitterly
disliked by the Navajos who were unable to grow food in the
barren land. They felt betrayed by the white man who forced
them to leave the area between their four sacred mountains,
area which today comprises the Navajo reservation. The Peace
Commission and the Treaty of 1868 allowed the Navajo to return
to their land after four terrible years. The Navajo were still
tormented, but slowly began to make progress as an individual
people, and today carry on their traditions and unique way of
life
Navajo Culture Today
The Navajo culture today encompasses over 200,000 people, spanning
more than 14 million acres of reservation land and nearby cities.
Many Navajo children are fluent in both Navajo and English.
The navajo language has not only helped to preserve the Navajo
culture but was also utilized as a U.S. Army code to disguise
transmissions from the Japenese during World War II. Navajo
arts continue to be passed on, as daughters and granddaughters
learn weaving, basketmaking, pottery making, and jewelry making.
Many Navajo children raised on the reservation continue to herd
sheep and livestock. Schools are accessible to most families,
but sometimes it is necessary that a family living many difficult
miles away send the children to boarding school.
Different types of religion are practiced among the Navajo,
a truly spiritual people. There are the traditional Navajos
who rely on medicine men, herbalists, ceremonies and other traditions
to facilitate their practice. Also, the Native American Church
is chosen by some Navajos and is especially known for the ceremonial
use of peyote for visions and cleansing. Sweathouses are utilized
by Navajos and other American Indian tribes, and Christianity
is practiced by some Navajos who incorporate the Western religion
with their native teachings.
The Navajo today are not a pueblo people; rather they dwell
a good distance apart from each other in separate houses, though
often in close proximity to family. The Navajo appreciate and
respect their culture as an equal way of life to suburban America,
and are proud of the simplistic ways they cling to. |
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