book chapter

Notes on religious ceremonials of the Navaho

Putnam anniversary volume, anthropological essays presented to Frederic Ward Putnam in honor of his seventieth birthday, April 16, 1909, by his friends and associates • New York • Published In 1909 • Pages: 299-343

By: Tozzer, Alfred M. (Alfred Marston).

Abstract

This article, by the well-known archaeologist, Alfred M. Tozzer, is a brief survey of some of the main aspects of Navajo ceremonialism. Tozzer points out the influence of early Pueblo religion on Navajo ritual, compares it with current Pueblo practice, and suggests the rituals which may have been developed by the Navajo independently. In particular, the author examines the details of a Night Chant he witnessed and compares it step by step with the one described by Washington Matthews in 'The Night Chant: A Navajo Ceremony,' (MEMOIRS OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, Vol. V, 1902). In his discussion of this chant, and in a briefer discussion of various minor ceremonials, Tozzer stresses the fact that although the Navajos borrowed the idea of sand-paintings from the Pueblo peoples, they have successfully developed them into an elaborate and fixed ritual of their own.

HRAF PubDate

2004

Region

North America

Sub Region

Southwest and Basin

Document Type

book chapter

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Katchen S. Coley ; 1951

Field Date

1901

Coverage Date

1883-1901

Coverage Place

Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, United States

Notes

Alfred M. Tozzer

This document consists of excerpts

Includes bibliographical references

LCCN

10011191

LCSH

Navajo Indians