Navajo Religion Vocab

hocho

ugliness, disharmony, chaos; often paired with its contrasting term hozho. The lower worlds of death

Earth Surface People

human beings, so named because they wre created and live on the surface of the earth

beauty, harmony, so named because they were created and live on the surface of the Earth

Hozho

SNBH

Navajo goal of life, often expressed in stories, songs, prayers, and everyday conversations. “In old age walking, his trail beautiful”

Hogan “place home”

domestic and religious structure that opens to the east and is used for ceremonies

singer “hataalii)

medicine person, also known as a chanter, who organizes and conducts ceremonies in order to restore individual health and community harmony

Changing Woman

the epitome of goodness in the navajo Way, she brought the Dine into being and embodies the cycle from birth to puberty to maturity to happy old age

First Man and First Woman

they planned, modeled, and brought into being the Earth Surface World after emerging from lower worlds

corn

traditional food staple and the food of the holy people, a crucial element in ceremonies, a symbol of fertility

Coyote

a key figure in Dine stories; a dangerously entertaining wanderer known for stirring up chaos through his lies, lust, greed, and impatience

Holy Wind (Nilchi)

animating life force and a source of movement for all living things, associated with breath, speech, thought, and action