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Navajo Superstitions

navajocodetalkersadmin on July 13, 2016 - 10:00 am in Folklore

With any discussion of Navajo superstitions, you will want to understand that they are also known as taboos. Whether you consider them to be superstitions or Navajo taboos, they remain fascinating reading nonetheless. When you study the history of Navajo traditions and the culture as a whole, you certainly want to make room for beliefs. With that thought in mind, you also want to make room for the superstitions that were very keenly part of the culture for a great many centuries.

While it is true that these Navajo superstitions do not hold quite as much power as they once did, they are nonetheless elements to Navajo beliefs that are still taken very seriously.

Navajo Superstitions And Taboos

A complete list of Navajo taboos and superstitions would make for an extremely long list indeed. There are superstitions that cover nature, animals, and other elements held in high esteem in Navajo culture. However, some of the more interesting thoughts within Navajo taboos includes:

  • Do not point at a rainbow with your finger, or the rainbow will cut it off. In general, pointing at anything or anyone with the forefinger is considered to be taboo. It is seen as an aggressive action.
  • Throwing rocks at a whirlwind is considered to be extremely taboo. It is believed that doing so will cause the wind to not only toss the rock back at you, but begin chasing you, as well.
  • Another one of the famous Navajo superstitions that involves the wind concerns calling the whirlwind a name. Doing so will cause evil spirits to begin to give chase.
  • Standing on a high rock is something that is also seen as a superstition in Navajo culture. This action will cause the rock to grow into the sky with the person.
  • Looking at moving clouds can cause someone in the Navajo tribes to grow into the sky with the rock.
  • If a Navajo happens to catch a glimpse of a shooting star, they are expected to blow on it. If they do not do this, they will have troubles and rotten luck for an unknown amount of time.
  • If lightning appears, it is not considered to be a good idea to stand up. Sitting down will cause the lightning to eventually go away.
  • The owl, the mouse, the crow, and the coyote are seen throughout Navajo superstitions as creatures that will be friendly towards the Navajo people. As a whole, most creatures are not considered to be friendly.

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