article

Representing Changing Woman: a review essay on Navajo women

American Indian culture and research journal • 25 (3) • Published In 2001 • Pages: 1-26

By: Nez Dennetdale, Jennifer.

Abstract

Dennetdale has written a review of the literature written about and by Navajo women, beginning with Gladys Reichard's work in the 1930s. Reichard studied the detrimental impact of the livestock reduction program on women's work and status. Her work contributed to the overall view that the traditional high status of Navajo women was diminished by colonialism. Subsequent studies did not concur with Reichard. Dorothea Leighton writing in the 1940s, saw in the continued practice of the Kinaaldá puberty rite evidence of women's relatively high authority and status. Subsequent studies argued that women may have lost status with the reduction program, but recovered it with education and wage work. In her study of the Kinaaldá, Charlotte Frisbie cites further evidence for women's high status in the central role of Changing Women in Navajo myth and ceremonies, and in the ability of Navajo women to adapt traditional gender roles to new economic realities. Dennetdale also discusses the autobiographies and fiction by Navajo women, who celebrate the continuity of Navajo life.

HRAF PubDate

2004

Region

North America

Sub Region

Southwest and Basin

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Historian

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2003

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1848-1999

Coverage Place

Navajo Nation, southwestern United States

Notes

Jennifer Nez Denetdale

Includes bibliographical references

LCCN

78643481

LCSH

Navajo Indians