Description of Navajo Cosmology - Report Example

Introduction From a global perspective, all ethnic communities have certain cosmological beliefs that have had a significant effect on the way they relate with the natural and man-made environment (Fennell, 7). In some cases, these cosmological beliefs have indicated a slight or a high sense of similarity, while others have exhibited a high sense of uniqueness. However, social and historical documentation have indicated that most cosmological perspectives are majorly revolves around the existence of supernatural beings, with a significant number making attempts to explicate the origin of universe (Fennell, 9). Up to date, there are certain communities that have continued observing their traditional modes of life, and have attributed a high level of priority towards the belief of ethnic cosmology. The United States, being one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, has a rich history from these ethnic communities on cosmological belief (Fennell, 11). Some of the ethnic communities in the United States have had and maintained their beliefs of tradition cosmology, an incident that has been associated with significant effects on the manner through, which they interact with socio-economic factors as well as environmental resources (Fennell, 11). This research will focus on the Navajo, a native community in the United States that specifically occupies the Southwestern part of the United States (historytogo.utah.gov). This native community is considered the largest native community as compared to other native communities such as the Cherokee among others (historytogo.utah.gov). The research will specifically explicate the way this native’s cosmological belief relates with the natural environment i.e. natural resources, food resources as well as sacred sites and other issue ascribed to the beliefs. Discussion Description of Navajo Cosmology The cosmology of the Navajo people places a great sense of emphasis on the creation of the Universe by a black God (sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu). They believe that this black God created man and woman and taught them the basic standards of living on earth. According to the Navajo people, the command of this black God is usually reflected on the place of Hogan, which is basically a typical Navajo household as well as in the sand painting ceremonies that the community undertakes in some cases (sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu). Additionally, the Navajo community believes in the spirit of fairness as a lesson that they were taught by the Black God (sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu). They believe the practicing fairness in the society enhances equality among members of the society. In relation to creation of the earth, they believe that the most recent earth is the outermost earth out of the four rings of the world. The outermost earth according to this native community is surrounded by four volcanic mountains located in four major regions: San Francisco, Blanca, Taylor Peak and Hesperus. Moreover, this ethnic community believes that the universe is surrounded by four super-natural beings that ensure human beings behave in a morally upright manner. The four super-natural beings involve: Dawn Man, Darkness Woman, Horizontal Blue Man and the Evening Twilight Woman. The Navajo community associates these colors with certain natural and food resources, considering them holy for instance: Tobacco, Squash, Corn and Beans (sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu). Consequently, the Navajo community considers the four Volcanic Mountains as holy ground, each having its own protector, being a Holy being. The four holy beings watching over the mountains are usually paired. Specifically, they assert that there is a sacred male being on the east, who is known as the Talking God; he is paired with a female God on the West known as Hogan (sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu). On the southern part of the Navajo sacred hill, there is a female God referred as Born of Water, who is paired with the sacred being of the Northern part, referred as the Monster Slayer. On the four holy mountains, there are also four pairs of hills, which natural ensures that there is stability, peace as well as tranquility. According to the Navajo, the four primary colors of the mountains represents; yellow, which represents the sun, moon and blue and two people standing at the corner of the earth. There is also a circular medicine wheel among the Navajo people, which they believe represents life in balance (sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu). Relationship between Cosmology of the Navajo and Natural Resources From the Navajo Cosmology, it is evident that there is a high sense of using symbolism. To begin with, the medicine wheel is a one of the symbols existing in the Navajo Cosmology. According to the Navajo people, this medicine wheel does not represent the contemporary methods of disease management, but rather represents the force or the powers of nature (navajocodetalkers.org). Additionally, the medicine wheel is a representation of the intrinsic power that the Navajo people posses, that enables them to leave healthy and complete life cycle. They claim that the medicine within their cosmology is equivalent to natural powers, knowledge and energy (navajocodetalkers.org). The other essence of the relationship between the Navajo community and nature occurs in the sense that the Medicine wheel is used as a source of healing and health. According to this community, the medicine wheel represents the four directions of the Tree Spirit, Mother Earth and the Father Sky (navajocodetalkers.org). These symbols represent the natural dimensions of earth as well as the natural human life cycle. Consequently the existence of the circular medicine wheel in the Navajo community is a representation of the scenarios of birth to death and also good and bad times (navajocodetalkers.org). The Navajo cosmology involves the use of number four as a representation of various natural features. The four circles within the medical circle represents the four seasons of a year i.e. winter to autumn. This had a significant effect on the way the Navajo people utilize their time in activities like cultivation and hunting. Additionally, the number four represents four food products specifically, corn, beans, Tobacco and squash, thus making these materials among the most favorable consumable natural products among the Navajo community (navajocodetalkers.org). The four colors, white, yellow, black and red have also influenced the manner through which this native group utilize textile, the four colors are usually dominant on Navajo Textile products such as the Bayeta blanket that is made up of red, white and black fabrics (navajocodetalkers.org). In addition, the manner through, which certain animals and natural phenomena are valued have been greatly influenced by the four colors within the cosmology. To begin with, the four colors represents four most valued wild animals among the Navajo community specifically the; bear, buffalo, eagle and mouse. The four colors are also a representation of the four most valued plants i.e. cedar, sweet grass, sage and tobacco. This community also values four component of nature, which are fire, water, air and earth. The four circles in the Navajo cosmology indicates that four regions where this Native community has inhabited. In this regard, the community believes that any natural resource that exist in the region belongs to them and not the Federal government, thus have assumed ownership and control of the resources (historytogo.utah.gov). There have been incidences of conflict between this community and mining companies that explore Uranium in the regions occupied by them, thus attracting the attention of the Federal government. In some cases, the community has demanded for compensation due to the destruction of their natural environment by these mining companies (historytogo.utah.gov). According to the Navajo cosmology, the sovereignty of their people is supreme. This is based on the fact that the cosmology indicates that the Navajo people are destined to occupy the four ends of the four holy circles represented by different colors. They believe that these four circles naturally cover the regions of: Northeastern Utah, Northwestern New Mexico extending towards San Francisco (historytogo.utah.gov). In this regard, they believe that this is naturally their land and any natural resource existing in this region belongs to the Navajo community. They have also established a traditional system of leadership with fully functional structures, claiming that they are the ‘people’ or dine created by the four gods, thus should have their own governance system (historytogo.utah.gov). Work Cited "Navajo Cosmology | Navajo Code Talkers." Navajo Code Talkers. Web. 21 Nov. 2014. . Top of Form Bottom of Form "Chapter Seven - The Navajos of Utah." Chapter Seven - The Navajos of Utah. Web. 21 Nov. 2014. . Top of Form Bottom of Form Web. 21 Nov. 2014. . Top of Form Bottom of Form Fennell, Christopher. Crossroads and Cosmologies Diasporas and Ethnogenesis in the New World. Gainesville: U of Florida, 2007. Print. Read More