book chapter

Navaho witchcraft

The MuseumCambridge, Mass. • Published In 1944 • Pages: x, 140

By: Kluckhohn, Clyde.

Abstract
This is the most lengthy and thorough study in existence devoted exclusively to witchcraft among the Navajos. (In fact, there is only one other, and that is by a psychologist.) The author, an outstanding authority on the tribe, has lived among Navajos over a period of many years, during which he collected the incidents and stories on which his witchcraft observations are based. This is a detailed account not only of the different types of witchcraft, but also of the function they play in the development of Navajo personality and their relation to other aspects of the society. A careful analysis is made of the reasons for the recent increase in the belief in witchcraft. In the text, all references to Arabic numbers within parentheses or preceded by a dash refer always to the numbered interview excerpts in the appendices. When the excerpts themselves are preceded by this sign #, they are paraphrases (written down later) or rough translations from the Navajo. Interviews marked with an asterisk come from the field notes of W. W. Hill. All other excerpts were written down at the time of the interview in the exact words of the informant or interpreter.
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Organization and analysis of results of research
Adjustment processes
Comparative evidence
Acculturation and culture contact
Functional and adaptational interpretations
Hunting and trapping
Recreational and non-therapeutic drugs
Representative art
Ingroup antagonisms
Behavior toward non-relatives
Social control
Preventive medicine
Sorcery
Magical and mental therapy
Mythology
Eschatology
Organized ceremonial
Ethnobotany
Ethnozoology
Status and treatment of the aged
culture
Navajo
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
North America
Sub Region
Southwest and Basin
Document Type
book chapter
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Katchen S. Coley ; 1951
Field Date
1936-1943
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Navajo Reservation, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, United States
Notes
Clyde Kluckhohn
This document consists of excerpts
Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-149)
LCCN
44007396
LCSH
Navajo Indians