Navajo - culture and/or religion?

This is a video that has a lot of symbols from the Navajo. It moves kind of slow and there are 4 parts to it, so I won't make you watch the whole thing. But I watched them all and I have taken some symbols from the other videos.

My point here is to see how the Navajo cultural symbols influence the current contemporary sacred ceremonies and who can call their native culture a religion.

To determine if the Navajo can call their culture a religion, I will use Clifford Geertz's definition of a religion:

"A system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic."

So here, take a gander at the video. Afterwards will some time frames I will point out important symbols. There will be some things that Rodger Clayton points out that may seem important but I feel there is more to it than what he points out. (ex: handshake etiquette)






1:51 - He points out the Navajo basket. This is a very important object that is used in almost all of the sacred ceremonies that are performed. I will touch on this a little later when he elaborates on the meanings from the basket.

• 2:09 - Corn Pollen. This is also used in many ceremonies and used in everyday life as well. It kind of reminds me of holy water. Used in all ceremonies but to "bless" everyday duties as well. Mr. Clayton points out that Navajos place it on their tongue, head, and the four directions (east, west, north and south) to make sure that there is an all around protection. He also mentions that it has a sweet taste [it does not, personally, I've had it many times and it's nasty]
  
• 2:50 - Navajo Rug. These rugs are a huge symbol, they capture meanings and are made in times of distress, happiness, confusion etc. There are many designs that are made, each symbolize the significance behind the creation of the rug. Here's an example: I've attached a picture that shows a rug that my parents had when they got married, to symbolize their unity (with the name) and the border around the name shows that they are bound together, don't think of bound as a "life-long sentence" but more of an opportunity.

• 4:47 - Here Mr. Clayton talks about the significance of the Navajo basket. The making of the baskets are quite interesting. It's a round pattern that starts in the center and makes its way out. As the pattern moves out, it symbolizes an increase of knowledge and wisdom. Also, symbolizing the Eagle, which is a sacred animal to the Navajo, the Eagle is shown in the basket's round pattern because an Eagle flies in a spiral pattern, showing a watchful eye. Also, it represents the afterlife. When the spiral pattern ends, when the basket ends, it's like the family members who have moved on. It ends and even though we can't see them anymore they're still there (symbolized in the continuing, endless spiral pattern.)
  I've also attached a close - up picture of the basket:
  

The basket itself has a lot of meaning. The red pattern you see represents a rainbow, which is a good symbol to the Navajo. And the black patterns represent the mountains, which symbolizes all of the hardships that one must overcome through their lives.

There is a gap in the pattern because it shows the beginning and end of a life. The gap is to always point East, which is the sacred symbol in all Navajo ceremonies.

• 6:53 - Four. Mr. Clayton points out the significance of the number 4. There are 4 sacred directions and the 4 sacred mountains that mark the Navajo territory [ 1. Mount Blanca (Tsisnaasjini' - Dawn or White Shell Mountain)Sacred Mountain of the Eastnear Alamosa in San Luis Valley, Colorado 2. Mount Taylor (Tsoodzil - Blue Bead or Turquoise Mountain)Sacred Mountain of the Southnorth of Laguna, New Mexico 3.San Francisco Peaks (Doko'oosliid - Abalone Shell Mountain)Sacred Mountain of the West near Flagstaff, Arizona 4. Mount Hesperus Dibé Nitsaa (Big Mountain Sheep) - Obsidian Mountain Sacred Mountain of the North La Plata Mountains, Colorado ] He says that all ceremonies are represented in 4 rounds as well (using the sweat lodge as an example).
  
• 9:26 - Mother Earth. Mother Earth symbolizes how the Navajo must get a long with nature, the animals and remember that Mother Earth houses all of man so respect is a must.

The first video ends after he mentions Mother Earth but I feel that there are definitely more symbols and so as I mentioned before, I watched all of the videos and since they are all about 9 minutes long, I'll just go over the main symbols that he mentioned and include the links if anyone wants to hear more.

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boqrdYhLM5U

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoNCRBkcGbE

Video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeM0l9P9oc4

• Unity with the Earth. I mentioned Mother Earth before but Mr. Clayton says that no one owns Mother Earth. She provides for the Navajo giving food, water, and a place to live. People are just a part of her so ownership is useless.


• Birth rituals. When a child is born a mother takes his or her umbilical cord and gives it back to Mother Earth. It is said that the Navajo believe that burying the umbilical cord and returns it to Mother Earth. Many Navajo believe that placing the UC in a specific place will determine the future for their child. [Personally, my mom placed mine in the back canyons near my grandmother's house because she wanted me to stay in touch with nature and be able to find my way home. (maybe it worked...)]


• Animals. The Navajo believe that animals are their older brothers and sisters who provide guidance for them. For example: the bear. If a bear is sick the Navajo will follow him because the bear will know which plant to eat to cure sickness and that plant will proved medicine for the Navajo.


• Medicine Men. There are elders who follow the traditional Navajo way of life. They live in hogans and use very little modern devices (indoor plumbing, electricity etc) who try to express the Navajo way of life to those who seek it out. Medicine Men could probably be seen as a religious figure like a priest, preacher, rabbi, etc. because they impose traditional ways of life and they perform sacred ceremonies which the Navajo believe will cure them of evil spirits, illnesses and provide protection. The medicine men have a lot of knowledge and can provide some kind of explanation of some sort. They use traditional baskets, rugs, corn pollen and other traditional symbols.




• Hogan. A Navajo hogan in itself symbolizes many of the beliefs the Navajo hold. The material used is from Mother Earth because she allows the Navajo to use her materials. The direction of the door is always facing east, which is the most important direction for the Navajo. There's also the circular shape the hogan has, which holds a lot of meaning for the Navajo.

• Male/Female Equality The Navajo believe that neither the male or the female is more important. They both provide for the Earth. Men are normally seen as the dominate figure but women are the ones who need to be impressed, they possess a lot of the emotional power in a relationship while the man provides her a family and material possessions.


• Prayer is done everyday, when the Navajo wake with the rising sun. They pray to bless the day and to protect their living ones. Also, community prayers are done in Navajo for special events. During ceremonies, get togethers and in times of distress.


• Ceremonies. There are many ceremonies performed to recognize achievements or to help out in a time of need. There are traditional wedding ceremonies performed by a medicine man who unites a man and a woman in a traditional hogan with only very close family members. There's a Kinaalda, which is a sacred ceremony held when a girl becomes a woman. And there's the variety of ceremonies performed by medicine men when Navajo are distressed and want to perform a ceremony to get rid of evil spirits, feelings, etc.


• Personal Presentation. The clothing of the Navajo have been around for a long time, elders tend to wear traditional clothing everyday. Contemporary Navajos wear traditional clothing only at times of celebration. ex: graduations, weddings etc. Along with clothing there's the jewelry that has been around for a long time. Jewelry symbolizes pride and protection. The Navajo think that wearing traditional jewelry shows pride in being a Navajo and that the jewelry will protect against evil spirits.

So, I've point out some very important symbols from the Navajo tribe. I think that Navajo can be called a religion as defined by Geertz because as I've shown there are many symbols that are used in everyday life and on special occasions because the Navajo believe that it is very important to their lives. These symbols establish moods such as joy, fear, appreciation, thankfulness and many others in order to explain beliefs and values. The moods and motivations that are created are uniquely realisitic because they are created while being used in everyday life and under special occasions because the Navajo believe it will truly help them. So, I think that the Navajo way of life can be described as a religion.

I think that the Navajo, the Diné, have changed over time but because there are still elders, medicine men and others who still live thier lives according to the traditional way, they are able to still connect with their roots. The elders, the medicine men are the ones who use the "traditional" way to display their beliefs, their religion.

Baha'i House of Worship

The House of Worship is very beautiful. The history behind the structure of the Baha'i Temple is very intersting. I thought it was very interesting to learn that only Baha'i were allowed to donate money for the building of the temple.

One of the most prominent characteristics that I found about the temple was the number 9. Nine structural arcs, nine grand entrances, etc. They really are trying to unite many aspects of different religions, faiths, cultures etc. Their theme, unity, is very prominent in everything that they do.

The different symbols of the various religions engrained into the structure of the temple was something that struck me as very different. I can understand how other religious structures don't do that because they believe that they are following the one true word whereas the Baha'i are trying to unite every religion.

One thing that came to mind is that since one of the symbols of the Baha'i is nine and there are currently seven temples, will they stop at nine? Even though they want to establish temples to be in as many cities as possible? Just a question for thought.

Identifying yourself

So, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has been looking for who they are. I grew up with many identities and religion was not one of them.

People have created "religion tests" and tried to help people, like me, identify ourselves. I don't think they work because I took one of the tests and questions they asked strictly stuck to Christian doctrine...maybe I'm mistaken but I don't think that's fair. My result was Reformed Judaism. I don't have anything against their beliefs but I definitely do not identify myself as 'Reformed Judaism.'

Why is there all this discussion to identify yourself using religion? I know it plays a role in people's lives but it also doesn't play a role in others. You can live a perfectly normal life and not believe in a god or some divine being. There are athiests out there who don't believe. It's very critical to people to try and find something that they follow. And even if we did know, why should we tell others? I feel like it's very personal and if people want it could be very private. It just doesn't make sense on why people must find the need to identify you.

Baha'u'llah

There are many things that go into defining a religion. One of the biggest factors is having a belief. Yea, there could be many symbols that help you identify what you follow but the symbols are meaningless unless you have something that you believe in. The Baha'i were criticized and shunned upon because their culture was something that was different and hard to identify with but the reason why, I feel, that they are able to be recognized as a religion now is because they stuck with their belief and were able to express it in a way that stayed true to their personal beliefs.

Unity, I think is a big factor as well. There are many things that happen to new cultures just because they are different but because of their ability to believe in something uniform they are able to express their message a little bit more. There is a part in the book that says something about how they Baha'i stuck together, they suffered together and accepted their punishment. I know that makes a big statement to me and allows me to see the Baha'i as more than just 'some thing that people believe.'

Commercializing Religion

As I was doing some research for my final project, I came across this video that reminded me of a discussion we had in class. I'm not sure who it was that brought up something like, "Commercializing religion to relate to a broader audience." But if you watch this video it is very prominent in it. There's the advertisements, the "infomercial" kind of feel to it. If you listen to what this guy is saying, he is actually trying to talk about defining religion and it's all hidden beneath all of the commercial aspect of it all.

Boboshanti

I definitely had a different vibe from the video. I think that the Rastafari are portrayed as this group that listens to reggae and smoke ganja in their free time. But after watching the video I felt that it was definitely a legitimate group because they had rituals they had others who were interested or not interested in their group.

There were some confirmations made by the video for example: the dreadlock and the turbin. It kind of intertwined the Rastafari culture but it seemed to trace back to the Ethiopian culture as well. Another thing I remember reading about was the communities of Rastafari who live close to each other to express their beliefs in a welcoming community and if you look closely in the video you can see the houses near other houses and they talk about people who cooperate with each other. One thing about the housing that I found particularly interesting was the color of the house, red, green and yellow/gold. It helped to express their beliefs.

This video was very informational to me because it told me that there are expectations that arise but in reality it isn't that different from things that we are already familiar with. I think that the Rastafari may have been viewed in the "commercial" light that makes it more appealing to others who have been exposed to it.

Rastafari...

Alright, so what is Rastafari and why do so many people find it interesting? I think one of the biggest influences is that they know Bob Marley had a huge role in spreading word around this. I'm not trying to question the belief itself but I'm trying to point out the role that 'celebrities' have in religion. It may not seem like much but really. Think about it.

What about Madonna and her whole Kabbalah deal? I mean when people saw her expressing her religion by wearing the red bracelet then everyone started to do it. They didn't quite understand why at first but then they followed. Now more and more celebrities are doing so and it's very eerie to me.

Another example is Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and their scientology belief. I don't particularly know the detail so their belief but I know there was controversy about whether or not it was legitimate at first. But regardless, they follow it. And others and followed in their footsteps because they are this high profile couple who seem to know what they are doing.

My point that I'm trying to make is simply that all of these religions that no one really understands is something that is blown out of proportion because of all the celebrities. And I don't think it's quite fair to the religion itself, but, I suppose that's how it has to work.

Kebra Negast

I didn't know much about Ethiopia before class on Monday and after listening and learning about some of it I was really surprised to know that there were really that many people who had different beliefs. I was especially surprised to know that Ethiopia has a prominant Christian background. Reading about King Soloman and Queen of Sheba really emphasized that to me.

The story allows the people of Ethiopia to really connect with "the God of Israel" and the God that King Soloman followed. To me it helps Ethiopians to really connect with their past. And because the Queen of Sheba had Soloman's son it also feels like there is that familial bond that allows people to connect in another way besides spiritually.

This story also reminds me of a lot of contempory stories where a child finds out who his or her real father is and goes to claim that title. The title that says, "I-am-part-of-you-so-you-must-accept-me." And to me, it's not just one child claiming that now, it's a lot of Ethiopians who feel that way. I'm not trying to say that its a bad thing but its another way to look at it...

Conceptual Blending and Analogy

I think the idea of using metaphors to interprete religious texts is very helpful.

We have talked in class about how it is easier to understand a text by relating it to your own life and I think that that is conceptual blending. You are thinking about two different situations or events and finding the similar qualities. You know in your mind that it isn't the same but somehow you are able to think they are just for the benefit of understanding. Or, when we try to interprete the historical context in the reading and even though we weren't there to understand what it is that was going on we are at least able to make an eduational guess by taking into account all of the different circumstances and why people acted the way they did.

The study of religion is very interesting because you learn about different cultures and religions while you are trying to grasp other ideas at the same time. When you learn about something different if you don't understand it at first its easier if you can relate it to something that you do understand. It makes studying easier and able to listen and grasp concepts easier.

I think that this kind of thinking is thinking IN and OUT of the box because, you fully engage yourself in someone's beliefs by listening and trying to understand but at the same time you are out of the box because you relate what you listen and learn to something completely different.

I was really happy with the discussion we had in class today about different ways of interpreting a religious text. Throughout time there has definitely been different medians to express the different interpretations. Think about it: photos, words, videos, music, story-telling. All of the different ways to express the different interpretations is something that makes religion interesting to learn about. Although I don't agree with certain religious views, I can definitely appreciate the expressed interpretations.

I found this video by a group of students who had to make a video based on a song and it was really nice because they used music, photos, and well a video site to express their interpretation of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tyofGCVbho

Check it out, it's not bad.

Augustine

Reading the Psalms for me was something that had room for interpretation and through Augustine's words it seems that there isn't much room for your own interpretation. It did give me a view on how other people see the world and how they may think.

Augustine is addressing Christians and the way they should live their lives, some of the Psalms that addressed a particular lifestyle that didn't really make at the time seems to make more sense now because of the strict lifestyle.

There was one area in particular: the different occupations that people have and how some of them are pointless, that made me question what it is that Christians tend to follow and how they see that in their lives. Not to pursue pointless areas of study. Sure, that made sense hundreds of years ago when areas of study weren't as advanced as they are today. But, in the sense of the Psalms if someone is questioning their life and their lifestyle if they get the sense that what they do in life is pointless and no one else will follow them, then the psalms are pointless.

I don't know much about scriptures but I feel that Augustine's opinion really does reflect what the scriptures say. It's kind of reinforcement that says, "What you believe in really is true."

I will have a hard time adjusting to Augustine's point of view especially if I don't agree with a lot of it.

That's so stereotypical

I've had a lot of people ask me questions lately about the Navajo culture and what we represent. I was able to tell them some of the Navajo creation story and some of the rituals I've been a part of, which isn't a big number. One person asked me if my culture was my religion, because the Navajos believe in Father Sky and Mother Earth and that Navajos were created through a series of worlds. So, they used that as a creation story and figured that something had to branch off of it. I replied with a no because I think there is a lot to it and I was a little agitated by, what I thought of as ignorance, but then, I realized that I shouldn't feel down by something that they don't understand. If Navajos, a people of color, have a creation story within their belief but don't exactly lay it out as an organized religion it makes me wonder how many other groups of people may be stereotyped as belonging to a certain religion.

Being a person of a diverse background and seeing the world from a different perspective than others who are part of the not-so-diverse population. When someone thinks about India and their culture they can assume that Indians are all Buddhist or all Asians are Buddhist. What about people from Africa? What do people know about their religious beliefs? African Americans? There are all these sterotypes of what kind of relgious belief people come from and I don't think that's fair, but I understand that its only because people don't understand. Even if they learn more, the stereotype seems to stand out in a regular day-to-day basis.

I really like learning about what kind of things people know and people would be willing to share. I don't like stereotypes very much because people generalize and catagorize others based on the color of their skin. Take time to know someone for more than just their skin color entails.

Here's a link to the Navajo creation story if anyone is interested: http://www.lapahie.com/Creation.cfm

Psalm 18

I don't think that the image of God is terrifying in this Psalm. If I was the one who were commmentating on what he was doing as he was "punishing" or "scaring" my enemies I'd be basically cheering him on. I would have wanted God to defend me and know what I want in the sense of someone who could protect me.

On the other hand, if I wasn't on the good side, and I was the enemy, yes, I'd be deathly afraid. A anthromorphoized image of God that is portrayed through the words of my enemy.

The image of God being able to yell a battle cry. That could be good or bad depending on which position you are in. If I was on the side of God I'd be so entranced by all of His continuous strength, I'd take the battle cry as something that was meant to happen in order to protect me. But, if I was not on the good side, I'd be terrified. I wouldn't want an almighty being yelling at me.

So, I think the image of God, personally, is not scary. But, then again it depends on which side is being defended.

It's not that hard.

I've been reading some blogs and it seems that the Psalms are difficult for people to interprete but to me they aren't. I thought that I was doing something wrong. I think it's easier for anyone to relate to a foreign piece of...literature... if they somehow can relate it to their own life. There are millions of possible ways to interprete something and make it your own, but there will be one way that makes the most sense to you. I don't think it's as easy as it sounds. There are a vast amount of possible answers and such but because only one will fit, you have to weed through the others to find the right answer for yourself.

I found it much easier to relate to 'Indian Mounds' because it wasn't so 'old.' And it also reflected some of the things I thought that we ought to preserve but the Psalms is so much harder. But it is definitely not as hard as trying to interprete the Bible in Hebrew.

That is my opinion on interpretation. There are many ways to do it but you can find one way that works for yourself and if that meaning is clear to you, then you can deliver a message.

And if its really hard, try this link: http://www.theologicalstudies.citymax.com/page/page/4387690.htm

I definitely don't mean this to offend anyone. But, I feel that relating a beautiful piece of work is something that takes time and it means more when the right meaning is found.

Psalm 2

On a complete random note: I started reading the handout before I read the little note that said fs look like ss and I had a hard time reading. :p

ANYWAY...

One of the first changes that I recognized was the change of wording from "nations" to "hearthen." The settlers of America had broken away from the established city and country to start their own. 'Nation' allows room for many different countries and areas of different culture to collaborate on one idea. With 'hearthen' there is a sense given off of unsettled and new. Which was what the new settlers were.

I feel that in line 2 of the HO there was a king lesser in quality. In the book, the Kings of the earth took their stand. But, in the HO the kings of the earth set themselves. There wasn't anything given to them there wasn't a place that was reserved for them, they had to 'set themselves.' This could be related to how the settlers in early America had a dislike for monarchy.

On the last page in the book it says, "Worship the Lord in fear, and exult in trembling." In the the HO it says, "Serve yee the lord with reverence, rejoyce in him with fear." I feel the second part of the sentences are similar because the wanted effect is an appreciated fear. But, in the book-worshipping the Lord in fear, I feel as if you are obligated to worship and if you don't there will be worse things that happen to you. In the HO it says to serve the lord with revernce, which is profound respect. It doesn't say that if you don't something bad will happen. It's merely a strong suggestion.

In the two versions I feel there is more room for individualism in the hand out version because there isn't a previous obligation to an authority not agreed with, an over dominating figure of a king and there isn't a do-this-or-else feel to the psalm. If there is an individualistic quality to the American psalm then it served in favor of the new settlers because it was what they were looking for, or it was a perfect psalm that carried the words of God but at the same time allowed room for their new outlook on religion.

How do YOU understand religion?

I grew up in a non-religious family and I never understood what it was because I didn't go to church or know who God was. As I grew up and moved to Utah I found out that people around me all went to church and called themselves 'Mormons'

Well, as I went to high school I learned about different people with different beliefs, other than the Mormon faith. I was surprised. I mean I was 14 and barely learning about different religions/beliefs.

I also learned about my culture. I am a full-blooded Navajo. My history teachers told me that the rituals that Native Americans had in their "ceremonies" was considered religious and emphasized their beliefs. I was very surprised because my family members did that. We used corn pollen for blessings, we talked about Father Sky and Mother Earth as creators of the world and how we have to respect animals. I understood that I was raised with the Navajo culture reflected some of the things I believed in. My mom also showed me morals and told me what was right, it added to what would be my future beliefs.

I have no current affiliation with an organized religion but I believe in something higher.

I think that religion in your own personal terms varies and it is based upon how you were raised and what you truly accepted to be the right way.

Mound Builders

A system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such a aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.

I really think that the "mysterious" Mound Builders follow the definition of the religion by Geertz fairly well.

As I mentioned in my RLST class I thought that use of symbols was something that could be argued against. But, in the case of the Mound Builders (MB) their symbols, their existence was shown by the mounds. How else would we have known that they existed? The MB created these mounds because it meant something to them, there are artifacts inside of the mounds that lead to this conclusion. We aren't exactly sure what kind of moods they received from mound building but it couldn't have been negative if they kept going? Right? Their mound building isn't exactly unique because there are other groups that have done something similar but they are the only group in WI. And whoever they are, they found something beneficial in creating mounds, such as the effigy mounds. They are in the shape of animals, and other various shapes. MBing was something that they used to express their belief...in what? I'm not exactly sure. But, I am sure that they fulfil the definition of Geertz pretty well.

Symbolistic interpretation

I feel that many religions use symbols to demonstrate a simplistic view of what their beliefs are.

All symbols have a history behind it and when different denominations started differentiating their beliefs from others the symbols became tainted and biased. I don't know the difference in all religions but I feel like I have a broad and general idea and when I see a symbol I feel like it represents that branch/denomination. Over time the symbols become more and more of something than what it was originally intended for.

Symbols meant more when it started than what they do today. And that is something that is open to interpretation whether its a bad thing or a good thing. I personally feel like its not good.

Primary element of Religion.

My first impression upon looking at the Cave of Lascaux was: how is religion related to this cave? Well, as I was clicking through the virtual tour I noticed that animals were the central theme in the pictures (duh) and I thought, why would people paint pictures of these bison, horses, cows, etc. ]

Well, in terms of religion I thought that the people worshipped these animals. I mean, if the pictures are very old, the people would have had to understand and use animals as much to their advantage.

But, what is religion? Why did these people choose animals? Well, I thought religion was a base of central belief. Well, I looked up religion in Google and it said, "a strong belief in a supernatural power of being." The artists of the drawings took great care of their work to illustrate animals, so isn't their religion something to do with animals?

Hmm, I started my reading of Paleolithic Art and Religion with a lot of questions. I expected answers. I got some, in a sense. There was one quote in particular, "Man is by his own constitution a religious animal." Before, looking at the cave pictures I would have thought, that is bogus. But, no, I thought about it some more and it made more sense. And the pictures helped me to reinforce it. Humans are animals. We are living and breathing creatures. So, these people could reflect themselves in the images, their art. But, with "the Shaft of the Dead Man." I thought. This is not reflecting the humans.

So, to me the basis of the people and their beliefs range, indefinitely. There was shamanism and Upper Paleolithic people who ranged in their beliefs but, the primary element of religion: something to believe in. Something to follow, something outside of yourself. There has to be something that you do not possess that you have to search for. The artists of the Caves of Lascaux had animals. Shamans or others similar have a spiritual being outside themselves. The Upper Paleolithic culture had many beliefs.

Purpose

I have decided to take a Intro to Religious Studies class here at the school I attend. Interestingly enough, part of the assignment is to post a blog. I'm working on trying to figure everything out and this will be my first blog. So...there. :)