Navajo Nation
Indigenous American: Navajo
Indigenous American: Navajo
The Navajo people, also known as the Diné, are a Native American tribe originally from the Southwestern United States, primarily in present-day Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. One of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, they have a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years. Traditional Navajo homes, called Hogans, are round, cone shaped, or multi-sided packed earth structures with a timber roof. The shape and function of these structures reflects a belief in a lifestyle that is respectful and in harmony with the environment. The "Three Sisters" refers to crops of corn, beans, and squash. These crops are deeply significant to the Navajo people. They are more than just a source of sustenance, they hold cultural, agricultural, and spiritual importance. The Three Sisters represent harmony and incorporate the Navajo belief of living a blanced life in harmony with nature. These three plants are called sister crops as they live together well and help one another grow. The corn acts as a natural trellis for the beans to climb, the beans fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for all the crops, and the squash spreads out on the ground, shading the soil to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Originally (before European arrival and influence), the Navajo economy was based on farming, hunting, and gathering. They would later become known as skilled artisans in weaving, pottery, and silversmithing. These skill sets are valuable both economically and culturally to the Navajo and are passed down between generations. The Navajo language is spoken throughout the region, and most Navajo also speak English. Besides the Navajo Nation proper, a small group of ethnic Navajos are members of the federally recognized Colorado River Indian Tribes.