The
Navajo tribe, like many tribes, places a lot of importance on family structure.
It is said that the tribe follows a strong matriarchal family structure, such
as when a baby is born that child automatically belongs to the clan of their
mother and not the father. When a man does go to marry someone, he must choose
a spouse that is not in the same clan as him. Even if a man is not related to
someone in his clan it is still against the rules to marry that person as it is
said that everyone in the same clan is basically family. An interesting family
tradition that is unique to the Navajo tribe is that the Navajo people need to
introduce his/ her maternal and paternal clan to the clan that he/ she want to
marry. The typical family structure is a wife; husband and their children,
however there can be different structures other than this, such as an extended
family structure. It is said that the third generations in the Navajo family
structure includes the parents of the wife (which are considered additional
members of their own family). In the Navajo culture, extended family members
are expected to contribute to the family responsibilities due to the fact that
a larger family means more responsibilities. Another difference in the
traditional family structure is when a husband has two wives; this is called a
compound family. In these families is most common that two sisters will share a
husband. Another unusual circumstance in the Navajo tribe is giving up a child
for adoption. If a mother cannot care/ provide for her child, usually another
family member will step up and raise the child. In the rare circumstances that
a family member does not step up, the tribe has legal authority of the child
and will determine which family the child will go to. Lastly, the Navajo tribe
uses different terms for family members, such as the mother's mother being
called "ma'sani'" or "old mother" while the father's
parents are called the "nallys.” Also, the siblings and cousins of their
mother and father will be called as their aunts or uncles. The siblings and
cousins of their grandparents will also be called as their grandpas and
grandmas as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWehjvbcIzM
(video of the daily routine of a Navajo Indian)
Now that
we’ve discussed the family structure, we should talk about a traditional Navajo
wedding. This is a very special ceremony that the tribe members hold high
importance to. The ceremony starts with the groom sitting at the back of a
semicircular fire with his relatives sitting north of the center, the bride’s
family sits south of the center with visitors filling up the open areas. The
bride will enter carrying a bucket of sugar and a cup with her close relatives
following behind her while carrying some type of food item. Then from a pail of
water, the bride dips the cup and pours the water on his hands. The groom then
takes the cup and proceeds to do the same thing to the bride. Then a bucket of
ceremonial gruel and canned tomatoes is set before the couple while an old man
conducting the ceremony sprinkles yellow pollen in the air. The bride will then
wash the groom’s hands and he will wash hers then they both take a mouthful of
the gruel then a mouthful of the tomatoes. They then each all the gruel in the
basket and a feast of all the food begins with all the family members.
References
"FAQ's About Life on the Navajo Nation & Among the
Navajo People."Navajo Central. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.navajocentral.org/faq02a.htm>.
"Navajo Family Structure." Navajo Code Talkers. N.p., 18 Apr. 2014.
Web. 25 Mar. 2015.
<http://navajocodetalkers.org/navajo-family-structure/>.
"Navajo Weddings." Twin Rocks Trading Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. <http://www.twinrocks.com/legends/128-navajo-weddings.html>.
I feel as though the average family life of the Navajo tribe is in a way fairly similar to that of an average American family. The average family for the Navajo's includes a mother, father and the children which is also the same as that of an average American home. Also, if there is extended family staying with a family of an average american family, it's also expected that they contribute to some of the responsibilities of the home and are not waited on hand and foot. Also, the fact that they must introduce their clan leaders to the clan leaders of their spouse is similar to asking a bride's father's permission to marry his daughter in the american culture. I think it's interesting that if a marriage exists where it is one husband and two wives that the wives are usually sisters. I feel like that shows how close these families truly are in the Navajo culture. I also found it interesting that cousins refer to each other as siblings and stuff like that which also goes back to the how tight knit their family structures are. I also really enjoyed the wedding ceremony because it is so different from tradition American weddings. I feel as though they really try to make the families a part of the celebration as well and it truly is a celebration that ends in a giant feast! Reading about the Navajo tribe made me realize how both similar and different this tribe is from the average American structure, which was an eyeopening realization.
ReplyDeleteDear Alexandra. This is an interesting reflection, but it is not that reflexive, meaning, you do not talk much about your background, your influences, your gender, your power as a student, as an American. Try to add this before the final presentation. For your references, you still need to add the date when you accessed the articles. Look at page 14 of the AAA Style Guide. Thanks for the very responsible work this semester Alex!!!.
ReplyDeleteThe Navajo Indians place a strong importance on family which I can also relate to. Coming from a Hispanic background, my family has always placed a huge importance on family. My mom has 7 brothers and sisters and ever since I was little, the entire family has always been extremely close. Everyone is always at each other's houses at any given day and not just on holidays. Also, when it comes to extended family, my family is kind of similar in that my grandma lives with my uncle and while my uncle doesn't "force" any responsibilities on her, my grandma cooks for them every night and helps out with the cleaning as well and is an important role in their family structure. When it comes to marriage, Navajo's have a big ceremony that's very special to them. While the specifics of the wedding ceremony is much different than one I would have, being a catholic I also place a high importance on the marriage ceremony.
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