article

Symbolic elements in Navajo ritual

Southwestern journal of anthropology25 • Published In 1969 • Pages: 279-305

By: Lamphere, Louise.

Abstract
The author of this source analyzes Navajo chants 'as a system of symbols which communicate the Navajo model of the natural-supernatural world' (p. 279). The conclusion of her symbolic analysis is that 'rather than body processes being relevant to classifying the world, concepts concerning the natural-supernatural world are relevant to interpreting body processes. The study builds on theoretical work concerning ritual and symbolic processes elaborated by Edmund Leach, Victor Turner, T.O. Beidelman, and Clifford Geertz.
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Magical and mental therapy
Mythology
Spirits and gods
Cosmology
Ethnophysics
Ethnogeography
Sacred objects and places
Theory of disease
Music
culture
Navajo
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
North America
Sub Region
Southwest and Basin
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
M. A. Marcus ; Marlene Martin ; 1985
Field Date
1963-1966
Coverage Date
1963-1966
Coverage Place
Ramah, New Mexico, and near Gallup, New Mexico; United States
Notes
Louise Lamphere
Includes bibliographical references (p. 303-305)
LCCN
47005758
LCSH
Navajo Indians