article

Community organization of the Western Navajo

American anthropologist64 • Published In 1962 • Pages: 781-801

By: Levy, Jerrold E..

Abstract
This article attempts to '…arrive at some definition of the concept 'community' which fits the social reality of the present day Western Navajos' (p. 781). The concepts of clan, camp, and outfit are used to examine three anthropological definitions of community (natural community, land use community, and local clan segment). Tuba City and Kaibito are used to discuss community change in an acculturative setting, particularly with regard to leadership and chapter organization. The author concludes that 'the present-day community… may best be described as a local clan segment occupying all or a significant part of a large, distinct, natural area' (p. 799). Further, these are outgrowths of expanding outfits precipitated by population growth.
Subjects
Community structure
Extended families
Lineages
Clans
culture
Navajo
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
North America
Sub Region
Southwest and Basin
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Richard A. Wagner ; 1985
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
1868-1962
Coverage Place
western Navajo Reservation, United States
Notes
Jerrold E. Levy
Includes bibliographical references (p. 801)
LCCN
17015424
LCSH
Navajo Indians