The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-10-04
NAVAJO

An Interesting Version of the History OF
Mans First Appearance on Earth.
In common with other tribes of the
Southwest, the Navaios believe that
they originally came from below, and
like the Moquis their lower world is
composed of two stories or stations.
Their best-sstablished tradition of the
creation, or the appearance of man on
earth, is as follows: The Navajos origin
ally lived in the underworld-that is,
the world Immediately below the ono
upon which they now live. In that
world they were happy and contented,
and had everything which heart could
wish for. There were no excesses OF
heat or cold, and fruits and flowers grow
in abundance. The day was marked by
O bright cloud, which rose like a curtain
in the east. and as this went down a
black cloud rose in the west, which
marked the night. In this happy con-
dition they existed until some n of the
tribe discovered an opening in the earth
which extended upwards to some place
then unknown. He communicated his
discovery TO his people, and the tribe
set out to find to what place the opening
would lead. Finally they emerged
upon this earth at n point somewhere
in the Naiavo Mountains, and imme-
diately prepared to take possession
Of their new home. When they came
upon earth they were ruled by a Queen,
who mysteriously disappeared four days
afterward. Men were sent in all direc-
tons to search for her, and those who
had gone in the direction of the Navajo
Mountains came upon the opening by
which the tribe had assembled from the
lower world, and found that it had not
yet been closed. Looking downward,
they beheld their former home, and saw
their Queen combing her long black
hair. She spoke to them, and told them
to return to her people with the mes
sage that she had died on earth and had
returned to tho lower world, and that
they would come to her only when
death had released them from the upper
world. With this the earth closed, and
the seachers returned to the tribe with
the message which had been given
them. Soon after this, giants appeared
in the country, who killed and ate up
the entire tribe with the exception Of
four families, who found safety in o
deep canon of the Navajo Mountains.
One day in their desolate retreat they
saw at early dawn a bright ray of sun
shine beaming upon a lovely verdant
hill not far away. Four days in sue
! cession this phenomenon was presented,
and being drawn bycuriosity to visit the
, spot, they found a beautiful girl babe.
This child was regarded as the daughter
of heaven and earth, and they reared
her with the greatest are. When she
grew to womanhood, the great warrior
who rides upon a white horse and carries
the sun npon his arm as a shield fell in
love with and married her. The off
spring of this union were two sons who
slew the giants who had destroyed the
Navajos; and under their protection the
world was peopled again. The daughter
of heaven and earth was finally taken
up by her warrior husband and trans
ported to the great waters to the west
ward, where she was placed In a float
ing palace, which has since been her
home. She Is immortal, and to her are
addressed the prayers of the people.
Her water home is guarded by twelve
immortal beings, who return periodical
ly to the land to learn what the Navaios
are doing and to carry back with them
any messages which they may send.
The tradition of this protecting goddess
accounts for the respect which the Ma
vaios show to the women Of their tribe.
Among them a man never lifts his hand
against u woman although it is no UNI
usual thing for a squaw to administer a
sound t%hrashing to the warrior husband
who has offended her. All of the sheep,
which constitute he great wealth of the
tribe, are owned by the women; and in
the various families the line of descent
is always on the side Of the woman.
The Navajos have little or no idea of a
future existence, but are firm believers
in the transmigration of souls. For this
reason they have great reverence for
different animals and birds. which are
supposed to be the re-embodiment of do
parted spirits OF Navajos. William NJ.
Edwardy, in Harpor's Weekly.