Who was one important leader of the Navajo Tribe?

Answer 1

Yes, they had naatʼáanii (leaders) such as Narbona, Manuleto, Barboncito, Hoskininni, Ganado Mucho and many others. However, the word for leader is very different than the feeling of the meaning of the English word "Chief". They lead by power of convincing followers and had no power to order people around. The had no hereditary leaders such as Scottish clans had. They had no leader that spoke for all the Navajo, just powerful men in certain areas. The very word in Navajo means one who moves something to maturity or growth not one who rules over others.

Answer 2

The Navajo never had one over all "chief". They had many leaders in many different areas and clans. No one had a hereditary position or authority to orders others around. It was often said there were 12 peace leaders and 12 war leaders but the numbers are probably more symbolic. Leaders were people moderate in their behavior and speech, good orators, had good family and clan relationships in their area and had large herds.

Answer 3

A person (usually man but sometimes woman) who leads Navajo ceremonies is called a: Hataałii

This literally means a "singer" or "chanter". They lead the ceremonies which are sometimes multi-day and sometimes involve assistants. They involve singing, prayers, dry paintings ("sand paintings"), sometimes herbs, stories recited, sometimes dance. The are about 60 chantways, or types of ceremonies. They are still led regularly on the Navajo nation today. All of them are performed in order to restore Hózhǫ́. This is the central Navajo concept of beauty, order, peace, health, harmony, goodness and balance.

Note on pronunciation:

The H is more harsh than in English.

The a is as in "father"

Two aa means it is held for longer. This is not for emphasis but changes meaning.

A L with a line through it is a sound we don't have in English. It is similar to one in Welsh. Put your tongue in the L position, don't used your voice (same as a unvoiced th) and blow out around the tongue.

Two ii are said as in "bee"

A mark above a vowel is a high tone mark, not a accent or stress. You must say it as it changes meaning.

The mark under the o is a nasalization mark. Say it like the o in the French word "bon"

Answer 4

The Navajo did not organize themselves to have one religious or political leader. There is a huge value placed on individual autonomy in tradtional Navajo culture. It is much more than is common in modern American culture. It is considered very bad form to try to tell someone else what to do or even imply that there is something that they usually do.

Traditional Navajo spiritual leaders are called hataałii. This means chanter or singer. It is often translated by Americans at Medicine-man. There never was nor is there to this day, a hierarchy of hataałii. Usually different ones specialize in a few chantways. They orchestrate traditional Navajo ceremonies. These ceremonies are usally done for an individual who is sick or feels that their life is out of balance. The rituals take many years to learn exactly by heart. They last 2 to nine days depending of the chantway and must be performed exactly. A ceremony often has helpers, must have friends and relatives present, must be paid for, herbs, sand paintings and other parts. often includes singing, chanting, prayers, sometimes dances, her This is one reason hataałii are not shaman. They do not channel or embody spirits they bring the world back into balance and compel the diyin dine'e' (holy people) to help with this task. There are 60 or so chantways each for a different purpose.

Other people specialize in diagnosing what ceremony is needed. These people often use various sorts of trance to figure out what the problem is or what taboo has been violated.

Answer 5

A very important person in the Navajo culture was a man by the name of Manuelito, or another names Barbacito. Both were involved with the treaty in 1886.