THE PEOPLE

They call themselves Diné, the people. They are the nomadic Navajo Indians, part of whose domain is the broad land of plateau, canyon and mountain that is northeastern Arizona. They are truly the people of lonely places, but they are not lonely people. Distance, the sun, wind, stars and silence are their constant companions. Always about them is the harsh land, their beloved land, in which they find shelter and manage somehow to survive.The years bring wisdom to the Navajo. The aged are held in high esteem and respect. Their voices are heard in the affairs of the tribe and their counsel considered. The years bring experience, spiritual and worldly knowledge. With that comes dignity.

Tradition and custom govern the lives of the Navajos, who are as unchangeable in some ways as the ageless land in which they live. They believe as their fathers believed, they sing the same songs, observe the same rites. Time touches them so lightly in passing.

They are a happy people, much given to laughter and gaiety. By nature nomadic, they gather in groups only for their rare ceremonials. The highlight in their lives is a "sing," for which they will travel miles to attend. By that weird means of communication called the "grapevine," word will go out that at a certain place a "sing" is to be held for someone who is ill. They will travel weary miles to attend such an event. A "sing" means feasting and dancing and the old, old chants to be sung.Fortunate is the traveler into the Navajo country who comes upon such a ceremonial. The Indians dress in their very best. They are in a holiday mood and they show their gayest side. A "sing" will last for days and only sheer fatigue will put an end to their merriment. After the ceremonial is over they will drift again into the vast land that is their home and it may be months before they gather together again. But the "sing" has served to enliven long nights with memories by camp fires.

The virtue of patience is part of the very being of these Navajo people. Patience is grim, stoic fortitude, lessons they have learned from the life they lead, from the country they live in. They are patient before the wind, patient before the hot suns and long droughts of summer, patient before the bitter bite of winter, patient and unbending before all the vagaries and temperament of the elements and the weather. Whatever happens is the will of the gods they worship, so why bewail one's fate? Brown, patient fingers will work for days on a rug, the weaving of which may mean only a sack of flour and a few pounds of coffee. A Navajo will ride miles and miles to go to a trading post and think nothing of the hour of return or the long ride home. An hour or a day means nothing when you measure your life in an eternity. If misfortune comes, it comes You ordinarily make the best of it. There will be good times and bad times. Such is the lot of all men.

They measure their wealth in their sheep and jewelry. Because the land is not rich, they constantly move about seeking new pastures where the grass may be thicker. They will be identified with one part of the reservation, but they know many broad miles as home.

Their contact with civilization comes only through their visits to the trading post, with the occasional traveler and sometimes with trips to places like Flagstaff for the PowWow. There is no grocery store on every corner. But to them the trading post is high adventure and the trader's shelves a source of wonder and delight. They are sharp in their bargaining and the trader must be alert to stay in business. Trading with the Navajos is an art and science.