The Winslow mail., 1923-09-21
FACTS ABOUT THE NAVAJOS
Living Conditions, History, and
Beliefs

Living Conditions, History, and
Beliefs
The followisg article is written from
data secured through the courtesy of
Mr. r. NJ. Bruchman, Dealer in In
dian Products at Winslow. Mr..
Bruchman has had a residence of
twenty years on and near the Ma
vajo Indian Reservation He speaks
their language, numbers his friends
and acquaintances among them by the
hundreds (and many of whom are the
biggest and wisest men of the Navajo
Tribe, and today, probably there is
no one man living who knows more
thoroughly the Navajo Indian through
practical contact with them.
History of the Navajo Nation
The Navajo Indians as We know
them today were discovered by the
Franciscan Fathers from Spain, by
way of Mexico, about three hundred
seventy years ago. The name "Na-
vajo" was given this tribe by these
Spaniards, and was not their original
name The Navajos call themselves
Dine, pronounced as if it were
spelled Din-eh, with the accent on
the last syllable, this being a word
in their language. The origin Of the
Navajos is shrouded in mystery, and
what little is known is clouded by
mass of legendary history passed
from father to son. and varying in
many cases. The average Navajo
will tell you that his tribe has always
lived in this locality but that many
years ago a part of the tribe was
separated and lost from the body, but
what became Of them no one knows,
and there is a belief to a certain
extent that some day this lost rem
nant will be found. Mr.. Bruchman
states that at one time he had the
carcass Of a supposed Mermaid" at
his trading post and would tell the
Navajos that this was one of the
members of their lost tribe and that
some believed it. The Navajo tribe
at the time of their discovery by the
Spaniards was estimated to number
about 1000 but today the population
Of the Reservation is fixed at 10000
this being one of the few American
Indian tribes that have increased.
The Navajo Indians are a distinct
tribe having their own distinct Ian
guage and customs. 1t is true that
the Apache Indian speaks a dialect
of the Navajo language but members
OF both tribes are certain that there
is no blood relation or connection
between the two. Some scientists
have drawn the conclusion that there
is similarity between this tribe and
the Arctic Indians, on account of the
fact that there is a noticeable like
ness in facial features and anthro-
biological indications, and thus that
they might be defendants of this
Northern people.
The Navajo Reservation
The Navajo Reservation covers
about 11,000 square miles, most of it
lying in Arizona, but with about $50
square miles in New Mexico Win
slow, Arizona, is the nearest railroad
point to the Southern part of the Ma
vajo Reservation and is known as
headquarters and clearing house for
the Navajo Indians and their pro-
ducts. The Reservation itself, bound
ing it roughly, goes North to the
Utah and Colorado line, South to
within twenty miles of Winslow, West
to the Grand Canyon, and East al
most to the San Juan Basin of New
Mexico.
Government
Although the Navajos are supervis-
ed by the United States Government,
nevertheless they are allowed to
govern themselves to a great extent.
There is no head chief of the entire
tribe and each band has it's own re-
cognized chief whose word is law
Roughly though, the entire tribe
may be divided into four great sec
tions ruled by over-chiefs whose
jurisdiction usually extends within
fifty miles of wherever he may be.
The chief is head man and supreme
judge and is looked to for advice and
decision On all problems by his fol-
lowers. This is an elective office
and the chief usually rules as long
as he can keep the respect of his
people, whether it be a few years or
a lifetime. However, he may be
recalled at any time and a new chief
selected by majority vote of the
tribe.
NavaiOS NOmadic
The Navajo is nomadic in his liv-
ing condictions; great deal like
the gypsy tribe. This is true al
most entirely to the fact that they
must move from place to place de-
pending upon the water and grass
supply for their live stock and some
times quick moves and over long dis
tances are necessary, especially
during seasons of drouth and the
summer months
Indians Are SeIf-SuppOrting
The Navajo tribe is self-SuppOrting
and does not receive any assistance