STORY Before this world existed and far below it, the First World lay in darknes
ID: 3503709 • Letter: S
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STORY Before this world existed and far below it, the First World lay in darkness. Here STORY lived six beings: First Man, First Woman, Salt Woman, Fire God, Coyote, and Begochiddy, the golden- haired child of the Sun. Begochiddy made four mountains in this first world white to the east; blue to the south yellow to the west; and black to the north. Then Begochiddy made insects and plants. But conflicts arose and the first beings, tired of the First World and its darkness, decided to leave. KEY IDEAS BACKGROUND DISCUSSION QuESIIONS KETOH (WRIST GUARD About 1930 Cast silver with turquoise on a le band Bequest of Virginia Doneghy ather Enlarge More Info At the center of the First World, Begochiddy made a red mountain and planted a giant reed. The first beings gathered all of Begochiddy's creations and crawled insi the hollow reed. The reed grew and grew and carried them into the Second World. In the Second World, which was blue, Begochiddy created still more new things. When the Cat People, who lived in the Second World, fought the newcomers, First Man used magic to overcome them Conflicts again disrupted the harmony of this world and the first beings collected their possessions and travelledi the giant reed up to the Third World. The Third World was beautiful, yellow and filled with light. There, Begochiddy created rivers and springs, animals and birds, trees and lightning, and many kinds of human beings. When the men and women began to quarrel, Begochiddy separated them. But they were so unhappy that Begochiddy reunited them, warning that the Third World would be flooded if there was any more trouble. And then Coyote caused trouble. Walking by the river, he spied in the water a baby with long black hair. He lifted the baby from the river and hid it under his blanket, telling no one Colorful storms and torrential rains approached from all directions. Everyone fled to the protective hollow of the giant reed, which carried them upward. But the reed stopped growing before it reached the next world. So Locust helped Begochiddy make a hole that led to the Fourth World, an island surrounded by water Seeing the waters still rising in the Third World, Begochiddy asked who had angered the Water Monster. Coyote tightened his blanket about his body and Begochiddy ordered him to open it. There was the water baby. Coyote returned the baby to the Third World and the waters receded. In the Fourth World, Begochiddy set out the mountains and placed the moon, sun, and stars in the sky. Begochiddy taught everyone the right way to live, including how to care for plants such as corn, squash, and beans, and how to give thanks . 1Explanation / Answer
Navajo legends relate that.the-people emerged from the lower
worlds onto an island in the middle of a lake. The lake, say the
stories, lies somewhere in the rorth surrounded by tall and beautiful
mountains. Modern science has in part agreed with Navajo tradition.
In 1852, it was shown that Navajo is an Athabascan language. Atha-
bascan is the name given to a or "family" of related languages
found mostly in Canada and Alaska'. The "family" group at this time
did not identify themselves as Apaches or Navajos, they refered to
themselves as "Dine"- meaning "The People." or speakers of Atftabascan.
At that time a northern origin for the people was accepted.
Navajo tradition gives a number of clues to this northern origin.
Many Navajo stories do not occur among surrounding Pueblos. These
stories have been traced back to different tribes in Canada, Washing-
ton, Idaho, and the northern Plains. Even the Navajo origin_story
is different from other Southwesthern emergence stories. Of all'such
stories, it alone admits that the people were'not the-first to live
in the area they now occupy. The Kisani, or Pueblos, already lived
in the area and greeted the peoplewhen they came out.
But when and how the Navajo and Apache came from Canada to the
Southwest is questioned, some scientists describe the Navajo moving
through the high plains and entering the southwest about 1525. These
scientists think the Navajos were hunters and followed the buffalo
down from Canada. Evidence from certain ancient sites in the western Navajo legends relate that.the-people emerged from the lower
worlds onto an island in the middle of a lake. The lake, say the
stories, lies somewhere in the rorth surrounded by tall and beautiful
mountains. Modern science has in part agreed with Navajo tradition.
In 1852, it was shown that Navajo is an Athabascan language. Atha-
bascan is the name given to a or "family" of related languages
found mostly in Canada and Alaska'. The "family" group at this time
did not identify themselves as Apaches or Navajos, they refered to
themselves as "Dine"- meaning "The People." or speakers of Atftabascan.
At that time a northern origin for the people was accepted.
Navajo tradition gives a number of clues to this northern origin.
Many Navajo stories do not occur among surrounding Pueblos. These
stories have been traced back to different tribes in Canada, Washing-
ton, Idaho, and the northern Plains. Even the Navajo origin_story
is different from other Southwesthern emergence stories. Of all'such
stories, it alone admits that the people were'not the-first to live
in the area they now occupy. The Kisani, or Pueblos, already lived
in the area and greeted the peoplewhen they came out.
But when and how the Navajo and Apache came from Canada to the
Southwest is questioned, some scientists describe the Navajo moving
through the high plains and entering the southwest about 1525. These
scientists think the Navajos were hunters and followed the buffalo
down from Canada. Evidence from certain ancient sites in the western.
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