The Navajo creation story is a beautiful tale that is not well known outside the Navajo Nation. It details the emergence of the Navajo people into their homeland.
The Navajo Creation Story is one of the most fascinating and complex creation stories in Native American mythology. It is a story of emergence, of the journey from darkness to light, and of the creation of the world and all its inhabitants.
According to Navajo mythology, the world began in a First World of darkness, called Nihodilhil, which was the origin of all things.
The Navajo Creation Story is a rich and complex tapestry of myths, legends, and stories that have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. It is a story that is deeply rooted in the Navajo culture and worldview, and it provides a powerful framework for understanding the origins of the world and the place of human beings within it.
The story is filled with colorful characters, including the Holy People, the First Man and First Woman, and the trickster figure Coyote, who play important roles in the creation of the world and the emergence of the Navajo people.
The Emergence
The Navajo Creation Story, also known as the Diné Bahaneʼ, tells the story of the emergence of the Navajo people and their journey to find their place in the world. The story begins with the First World, a world that was destroyed by water. The Second World was created, which was blue in color, and the Navajo people emerged into this world.
The First World
According to the Navajo creation story, the first world was small and pitch black. There were four seas and in the middle, an island with a single pine tree existed. Ants, dragonflies, locusts, and beetles lived there and made up the Air-Spirit People of the first world.
Each of the four seas was ruled by one supernatural being, the Big Water Creature, the Blue Heron, the Frog, and White Thunder. Above the sea, there was a black cloud, a white cloud, a blue cloud, and a yellow cloud. The female spirit of a life lived in the black cloud while the male spirit of dawn lived in the white.
When the blue and yellow clouds came together, the First Woman, while the black and white came together to form the First Man.
The First Woman saw the light of the First Man’s fire and tried to reach him three times before she finally found his home. He asked her to live with him and the First Woman agreed.
The Great Coyote was formed in water and came to the First Man and First woman, telling them he was hatched from an egg and knew all the secrets of the water and the skies. Shortly after, a second coyote appeared named First Angry, who brought witchcraft into the world.
The next part of the Navajo creation story involves the First Man, First Women, First Angry, and the coyote born in the water climbing into the second world, followed by all other creatures.
The Second World
When they got to the second world, they found other beings living there, including various types of birds. A swallow welcomed them and they lived in harmony together for 23 days until one of the Air-Spirit People tried to sleep with the swallow chief’s wife. The swallow chief found out and banished the newcomers who traveled to the third world.
The Third World
In this Navajo legend, the third world is called the Yellow World and was home to six mountains, where the holy people lived. These holy people were immortal and traveled by following rainbows. There was the Talking God, Black God, Water Sprinkler, and House God.
In this world, First Woman gave birth to a set of twins, who were neither male nor female. Four days later, a second set of twins were born, a male and female and after 20 days, five pairs of twins had been born.
The mountain gods each took a set of twins, teaching them how to pray and wear masks before returning them to their parents. Over the next eight winters, the twins found mates and brought many people into being.
The Navajo people were led by the Holy People, who guided them on their journey. The Holy People were four in number, and they visited the First Man and First Woman four times before they spoke. The Holy People were responsible for creating the mountains, rivers, and other natural features of the world.
The Navajo people were instructed to build their homes in the east, and they were given the knowledge to build hogans, traditional Navajo dwellings. The people were also given the knowledge to create sandpaintings, which were used in healing ceremonies. The Navajo people were taught to live in harmony with the natural world, and to respect all living things.
The Four Worlds
The Navajo Creation Story describes the emergence of the Navajo people from four different worlds. The first world was a world of darkness called Nihodilhil. From this world, the Dine began their journey of emergence into the world of the present. The second world was a world of blue light, the third world was a world of yellow light, and the fourth world was a world of white light.
Each of the four worlds was created and destroyed because the people did not live in the right way. In each world, the Dine were given instructions on how to live and were tested to see if they would follow them. However, they failed to live in harmony with the natural world and were punished with destruction. The fourth world, which is the present world, was created because the Dine finally learned to live in harmony with the natural world.
The four worlds are also associated with the four cardinal directions and the four sacred mountains. Mount Blanca in the east, Mount Taylor in the south, the San Francisco Peaks in the west, and Mount Hesperus in the north. These mountains are considered sacred because they are the pillars that hold up the sky and the earth.
The four worlds are an important part of Navajo culture and are often referenced in Navajo ceremonies and teachings. They serve as a reminder to the Navajo people to live in harmony with the natural world and to respect the balance of life.
The Fifth World
The Navajo Creation Story is a rich and complex mythology that traces the evolution of life through four previous worlds until the people reach the fifth and present world. The Fifth World is the world we live in today, and it is believed to be the most stable and balanced of all the worlds.
According to the Navajo Creation Story, the Fifth World was created by First Man and First Woman. They emerged from the underworld and climbed a reed to reach the Fifth World. Once they arrived, they began to create the world as we know it. They created the mountains, rivers, and plants, and they also created the animals and humans. The Fifth World is a world of balance and harmony.
The Navajo believe that everything in the world is connected, and that everything has a purpose. Humans are seen as an important part of this balance, and they are expected to live in harmony with the natural world. The Fifth World is also a world of challenges.
The Navajo believe that humans are tested in this world, and that they must overcome challenges in order to grow and learn. The challenges can take many forms, including illness, poverty, and conflict.
But the Navajo believe that these challenges are opportunities for growth, and that they can help humans become better people. In conclusion, the Fifth World is a world of balance, harmony, and challenges. It is a world that is rich with meaning and purpose, and it is a world that the Navajo believe is worth protecting and preserving.
The Creation of Humans
According to Navajo Creation Story, humans were created during the Fourth World. The Navajo believe that humans were created from the union of the spirit of the sky (Sóté) and the spirit of the earth (Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehé).
After the creation of the First World, the Second World, and the Third World, the Navajo deities met to discuss the creation of humans. First, they created the four cardinal directions and the four sacred mountains that surround the Navajo homeland. Then, they created various animals, including the coyote, the deer, and the eagle.
Finally, the deities created humans. The first humans were made from white shell, yellow corn, and turquoise. The deities breathed life into the humans and gave them the ability to communicate with the spiritual world. The humans were also given the responsibility of taking care of the earth and all its creatures.
The creation of humans in Navajo Creation Story is a reminder of the importance of balance and harmony in the world. The Navajo believe that humans are not superior to other creatures on earth, but rather, they are equal and interconnected. The creation of humans also highlights the Navajo belief in the importance of respecting and caring for the natural world.
Conclusion
The Navajo Creation Story is an important part of Navajo culture and history. It tells the story of how the world was created and how the Navajo people emerged into the world of the present. The story is passed down through generations and is an integral part of Navajo identity.
Through the story, the Navajo people learn about their connection to the land and the importance of respecting and caring for it. The story also teaches about the importance of family and community, and the role of individuals in preserving the balance and harmony of the world.
While there are variations of the story, the core elements remain the same. The story emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony, and the need to maintain a relationship with the natural world. It also highlights the role of the Holy People in guiding and protecting the Navajo people.
Overall, the Navajo Creation Story is a powerful and meaningful narrative that continues to shape the Navajo way of life. It is a reminder of the importance of tradition, culture, and community, and the role of individuals in preserving and passing down these values to future generations.