Monday 28 October 2019

The Importance Of Storytelling In The Navajo Culture

As the Navajo people explored their land, storytelling became such an important tool for them. It was used as a medium to pass down traditions, such as local customs, how to live off the land, and how to survive in the natural environment. They also used designs and symbols to tell a story or to communicate, and this is evident till today in many arts, crafts, and accessories such as the Navajo design wallets, mats, and others, where symbols used can tell a story to the viewer.

When other nationalities started to settle in their land, most of the natives were forcibly relocated to lands that were not their own. However, their customs, language, and religion were ways for them to remain connected to each other and their homeland, and keep their legacies alive.

Through storytelling, people of the Navajo community and other Native Americans keep their tribal languages alive. They also use it to pass myths down to future generations.

Song, Music, and Dance

Navajo people use storytelling in the form of songs, music, and poetry to illustrate their history. Additionally, it became a way of entertaining the tribe besides being a teaching method. Some hero myths and folklore were other forms of storytelling, which saw seemingly ordinary men given superhero powers and gave tribesmen a sense of pride within their people. This act is also depicted in some of the Navajo symbols and designs.



As mentioned earlier that storytelling was an important method for Native Americans to pass down their history and traditions, it can be seen as the seeds from which entertainers, teachers, and historians grew.

An Important Legacy

Through storytelling, Navajo people shared, preserved, and paid tribute to their early beginnings, so future generations could continue what their forefathers had done.

Get a Navajo pattern trifold wallet, mug or any craft if you want to gift any family or friend who belongs to the Navajo community.