They have little of the sullen, reticent disposition attributed to Indians generally, and are cheerful, friendly, hospitable, and industrious. The tribe is divided into about 58 clans or gentes , grouped under several original or nuclear clans. Exogamous marriages with Mexicans, Utes, Apaches, but especially with the neighbouring Pueblo Indians, captured or enslaved and eventually adopted into the tribe, are responsible for a number of clans. In consequence there is nothing like a pronounced or a prevailing Navajo type. Every variety of form and figure can be found among them.
Marriage is contracted early in life.
Polygamy and divorce are still prevalent. Their marriage ceremony is only permissible at the marriage of a virgin. The vices of abortion, infanticide, race suicide, are practically unknown among them. The elaborate system of pagan worship, expressed in chants, sacrifices, sand painting, dances, ceremonies, some of which last nine days, make the Navajo appear very religious. Though they have no conception of one supreme being, their anthropomorphous deities are numerous and strikingly democratic.