The Navajo culture depended largely on their surroundings and where they lived. The Navajo’s used to live in far Northern America, today’s Alaska and Canada. Originally, they were hunters. They made bows and arrows to kill. Their clothing and houses were made from animal skins and they made baskets. Their religious leaders were responsible for dealing with the forces of nature and curing the sick.

When the Navajo’s moved to the Southwest they took their culture with them, but it soon changed. The culture changed because of their new environment and other people’s influences. However, even with all the other languages around them, they kept their language. They had new clothing for a hotter climate. The women wore dresses, moccasins, a belt and jewelry. Men wore a shirt, moccasins and jewelry. They built new homes called hogans. These were made from logs, tree bark and mud. The door opens to the east to welcome the sun. They were a single room about 20 to 30 feet in dia

The Navajo’s also took ideas and learned from others in the region. They were very adaptable. If they saw something they liked they would incorporate it into their culture. By having this cultural flexibility, they were able to stay strong as a culture and as a people. The Navajo’s were influenced by the Pueblo Indians who lived close to them. The Pueblos taught them how to farm corn, melons, squash and beans. From the Spanish culture they learned to grow fruits and vegetables. They also learned about sheep from the Spanish. Sheep became very important to the Navajo way of life. From the sheep they got wool for blankets, dresses and rugs. They also used the sheep for meat.

Their religion is based on the concept of hozho. This is the combination of many ideas brought together including beauty, happiness, harmony, and goodness. For example, the Navajo’s tried to live in harmony with nature. They believed that all they needed to live they could get from the Earth. It was the ultimate value of the Navajo’s and there were many ceremonies, some lasting 9 days, trying to obtain the value of hozho. Everyday activities by the Navajo’s were also focused on reaching a state of hozho. Other ceremonies were used to help cure sickness. Others were

Some topics in this essay:
Canada Originally, Sheep Navajo, Community College, De Chelle, Pueblo Indians, Christians Navajo’s, People” Navajo’s, Navajo Indians, People” Navajo, Utah Navajos, sacred mountains, navajo community college, navajo community, sheep meat, hard culture, 4 sacred, “the people”, wool blankets, community college, hard culture alive, culture alive, 4 sacred mountains, extended family,