|
|
Navajo
The Dine, or Navajo have traditional lands that overlap with the Pueblo peoples, but they are from a historically different group. They are more closely related to the Apache, who also call themselves Dine. Linguistically, they are closely related to the Dogrib, Slave, and Yellowknife peoples of the Northwest Territories who call themselves the Dene. The Dogrib have an oral tradition that one band separated from the rest of The People (Dene) and traveled south, never to return. Besides the similar languages, both Dene groups share other customs, including the use of hogans and sweat lodges. Among the European settlers, both groups were known for their knowledge of medicinal plants, far in advance of anything in Europe at that time.
Among collectors of traditional ethnic art, the Navajo/ Dine are best known for their silver and turquoise work, and for sandpaintings.
|