Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-03-08
Why Nava 2
Runaway From
Old Women

by gagsters and humorists material for jokes
But these far from humorous to the Navajo
Indians who still observe the ageod taboo respect 10
mothers-iRa4T although in many other respects their
thoughts are modern As those of the white man
According tribal legend which became unwrttcn
Navajo law long before the first white TO-
America Indian every precaution TO avoid
coming face with his mo5r Otherwise he
is liable TO go blind
This belief. pointed by the New Mexico
State Tourist bureau may be traced back 10 the Indian
legend Of Creation The Navajos believe that when tho
placed the sky there group called the
mohor-n-Iaw constellation which especially difficult
TO arrange
Everyone was intently watching the hanging Of the
and when the moher-in-law constellation caused
trouble in the according version Of the
legend the young OF the tribe through with the
worlds first mothernaw joke by rcmarkng that whether
earth or in heaven their wives mothers seemed to be
Because of this sacrege the gods cast spell on the
eyes of the young NavaJos suddenly found thor
eyebals had become sockets The gods
formed them that this aff!icton came from looking al
their NOTWITHSTANDING and when the young husbands
promised to do II again The gods reented and
stored their eyes to normal The young bucks
scared that TO this day the NayaJos regard the ban
one OF their II major tribal taboos.
Among tho present day Navajos who the world
largest reservation in Western New Mexico, this old
tribal law becomes effective soon rs the mans
family arrives gifts the wedding day and
tinucs long couple nycs. II a Navajo
than he VIII have 10 avoid corresponding
number Of NOTWITHSTANDING
Relatives friends always ready and eager TO
the young husband whenever his wifc's mother
the warning cry which tells Navajo that his mohcrin
law sight the most dgrfi,d Indian VIII
walk backward, like a frightened child hide has
head a blanket TO avoid the dreaded sight.
The mother-in la" may have a genuine affection FOR
her daughters husband and deeply regret the menacng
role IN which she has been cast by ancient tradition
Therefore she may houghully arrange her daily routine
avoid meeting him on the other hand mother n-law
who dislikes her daughters husband may a
lot Of uneasness by popping up at odd times even
coming his hogan home for visit
Naturally there times when sonn-law and mother
n-law avoid coming facc-toface the biggest
reservation When This happens according To the more
liberal presenday Interpretation OF the tribal law the
may be nulhed if both parties promptly take Ger
tain steps
AS soon as possible accidently causing her
n-law her the mOther-ina comes to his hogan
bringing sack native tobacco and shucks Very
tremendously she rolls cigarette mutterng spell
lifting herself she then takes four slow puffs
from and hands il TO her son-inlaw who the same
and the possible dire consequences 10 her
daughters husband is temporarily lifted until the next
time they happen meet face 10 face.
This ritual also employed Immediately after tho
wedding ceremony in which the moher-naw is present
and after various tribal pow and celebrations
which all members of the family may participate OF
course If Navajo has been married before, and both
mot hes-n-law are st living, ne has TO be douby
f appears that the newer the mother-inaw the
more potent Therefore it is not unusual for
Indian precautions 10 avoid the mother Of
a previous wife than that Of a current one.
The Navajos have several other superstitions
omens The Of hogan must always face East,
snakes to be killed bear meat be eaten
Marriage person of the same clan IS forbidden
COYOTE must never killed uncooked food be eaten
stranger must be asked his and must
sleep i'm a hogan where "A death has occurred.
Navajo legend holds that the coyote is evil spirit
turned back from the land OF the dead
among the Indians If coyote is killed. according t.a
legend the wrongdoer stands To lose his wits The
s either the coyote chant the deyil-chasng cerc.
nonaI which away the dead coyotes evil magic.
It is cardinal among Navajos that strangers must
be shown every hospitality and that food must be offered
before, visitor leaves. a similar rule is that Indians
must show kindness the mentally and physically afflicted
and rules extend to cvcryoncs mohcr-nlaw but ones
nNNn