- Fact 2 - The Navajo were a
semi-nomadic
tribe of hunter farmers. Men were in charge of hunting for food
and protecting the camp and the women were in charge of the home
and land. The Navajo kept sheep and women spun and wove wool
into cloth
- Fact 3 - Homes and Houses: Earthen houses
(also called hogans,
earth lodges and pit houses)
were the homes of tribes such as the Navajo, the Sioux and West
Coast or Plateau Indians.
- Fact 4 - Earth lodges were
semi-subterranean dwellings which were dug from the earth, with
a wooden domed mound built over the top which was covered with
earth or reeds
- Fact 5 -
The name of a famous Navajo leader was Manuelito who resisted US domination
- Fact 6 - Clothes and Clothing -
Clothes were generally made from the skins of small animals such
as rabbit. Then with the advent of sheep farming their
clothes were also made from cloth woven from wool for ponchos,
blankets and cloaks
- Fact 7 - Clothing for men: Men
originally wore breechcloths which were made from a long
rectangular piece of animal skin or cloth which was worn between
the legs and tucked over a belt, so that the flaps of the
breechcloth covered the front and behind. The legs were bare.
- Fact 8 - Clothing: The women also wore skirts
made of woven yucca fiber. The Soaptree yucca is a perennial
plant which is is native to western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona
and northern Mexico. Yucca fiber was also used to make sandals,
belts, cloth, baskets and mats
- Fact 9 -
Headbands - Men wore different types of cloth headbands
- Fact 10 -
Clothing for women: Women wore cloaks which were then replaced
by woollen blankets
- Fact 11 - Shoes and footwear:
Moccasins were made of soft leather or deerskin and sewn
together with deer sinew. Moccasins were a soft slip on shoe, or
slipper, consist of a sole and sides made of one piece of
leather, stitched together at the top and were a light beige
color.
- Fact 12 - Food: Men hunted
deer, small game and fish. As farmers crops were produced for
corn, beans, squash and sunflower seeds. Crops, meat and fish
were supplemented by nuts, berries and fruits. They then started
to raise sheep and goats
- Fact 13 - The Navajo speak dialects
of the language family referred to as Athabaskan
- Fact 14 - The Navajo are noted as
stockbreeders and skilled weavers, potters, and silversmiths
- Fact 15 - Hair: Hair was
kept long and worn in a traditional hair knot called a Tsiiyeel
which is wrapped in white yarn.
- Fact 16 - Jewelry: Women wore
turquoise and silver jewelry
- Fact 17 - Face paint / War Paint:
The Navajo did not paint their faces or bodies except for
special religious ceremonies
- Fact 18 - Navajo weapons: Weapons
included bows and arrows, and knives
- Fact 19 - Enemies of the Navajo
tribe included the Pueblos, Comanche, Apaches and Utes
- Fact 20 - History: In 1863 American force under Kit Carson
killed Navajo sheep
- Fact 21 - In 1863-4 9000 Navaho
Indians were forced to move 300 miles to Fort Sumner (The Long
Walk) many died on the way
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