Book

A study of Navajo symbolism

The Museum32 (3) • Published In 1956 • Pages: viii, 100

By: Newcomb, Franc Johnson, Fishler, Stanley A., Wheelwright, Mary C..

Abstract
Based on research conducted near Tuba City, Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico, this work explores Navajo sand paintings and picture writing from a ceremonial and symbolic perspective. The sand painting section by Newcomb is the most meticulous, covering many aspects of the ceremonial and curing symbolism as well as ethnometeorology, ethnozoology, and ethnobotany. Fishler's section on picture writing as mnemonic device contains as interesting origin myth about curing sorcery. Finally, Wheelwright's speculations about the origin of and parallels to Navajo symbolism, although highly conjectural, do contain useful information on Navajo art symbolism. The reader should be aware that all art examples are recreations by White researchers.
Subjects
Shamans and psychotherapists
Representative art
Ethnozoology
Spirits and gods
Organized ceremonial
Mnemonic devices
Ethnophysics
culture
Navajo
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
North America
Sub Region
Southwest and Basin
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Types
Ethnologist
Foreign Resident
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Richard A. Wagner ; 1985
Field Date
1914-1950
Coverage Date
1920-1950
Coverage Place
vicinity of Tuba City, Arizona and northwestern New Mexico, United States
Notes
by Franc Johnson Newcomb, Stanley Fishler and Mary C. Wheelwright. Line drawings by Lloyd Moylan
All art examples have been indexed for OCM category 531 or OCM category 532
Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-80, 99)
LCCN
a 57002354
LCSH
Navajo Indians