cuzido
New Member
The Navajo have a large body of myths to do with their origins. These myths have a particular power and significance because they are used in conjunction with sand paintings in healing rituals still carried out today. The Navajo first world is dark and barren. There are insects, and a Black God, the Navajo Fire God, a dark masculine force within the feminine - like the black dot of yang within the light (yang) side of the yin-yang symbol. There are also First Man and First Woman, and Salt Woman, who may be an earlier version of Changing Woman (who becomes important in the Blessingway myth and ceremony).
The earliest beings ascend into the second world, possibly driven by the Fire God's anger, or by adultery. The people are well received by the Swallow people in the second world, but again have to move on. In the second world, First Man has a struggle with the Cat People, who are tricksters. A being named Begochidi creates a pair of twins, male and female, and allows the Fire God to kill them to become transmitters of life.
Driven up to the third world, the beings meet the evil Snake People. Begochidi creates the rivers (male and female), as well as animals and birds, and plant life. All speak one language.
In the fourth world the union between man and nature is broken. Four mountains (still sacred to the Navajo) are created, as well as the hogan, the Navajo home which represents the universe in miniature. The sexes become segregated and go mad with mutual desire and are obliged to come back together. There is also a Flood, like that of the Old Testament, caused by Coyote's theft of Water Monster's baby.
The earliest beings ascend into the second world, possibly driven by the Fire God's anger, or by adultery. The people are well received by the Swallow people in the second world, but again have to move on. In the second world, First Man has a struggle with the Cat People, who are tricksters. A being named Begochidi creates a pair of twins, male and female, and allows the Fire God to kill them to become transmitters of life.
Driven up to the third world, the beings meet the evil Snake People. Begochidi creates the rivers (male and female), as well as animals and birds, and plant life. All speak one language.
In the fourth world the union between man and nature is broken. Four mountains (still sacred to the Navajo) are created, as well as the hogan, the Navajo home which represents the universe in miniature. The sexes become segregated and go mad with mutual desire and are obliged to come back together. There is also a Flood, like that of the Old Testament, caused by Coyote's theft of Water Monster's baby.