Did the Navajo Indians have a chief?

Answer 1

The did not have chiefs in the way that the English word is usually used, meaning hereditary rulers who could order people around or even speak for everyone. They had two many leaders and in different areas different people were influential. But no one could order people to do things. There is a tradition of 12 peace leaders and 12 war leaders and someone who speaks for each group. This may have happened a few times but mostly leaders were men who had much livestock wealth, good clan and family connections, good and beautiful speaking skills and much ritual knowledge. No one spoke for all Navajo everywhere. This was something the Spanish and later the Americans found very hard to understand. In general Navajo culture is Much more individualistic than American or Spanish culture. Even one family member speaking for someone else or telling someone directly what to do, is rare.

Answer 2

Yes, they do. Today they even have a website. They are not "leaders' in the sense that they control the religion but they are highly trained ritual practitioners/ healers/ philosphers. They are called Hataałii, which means singer or chanter and is sometimes translated as "medicineman". They have to study and undergo training for many years in order to lead the multi day ceremonies that must be performed corectly in every detail from memory. The purpose is to restore hózhǫ́, which is a concept which means beauty, harmony, balance, order, the good all in one concept. This is stilll a very active religion and many chantways are performed each year. There are about 60 chantways in all each for a different circumstance.

Answer 3

The Navajo did not have Chiefs in the American English meaning. There were important and influential men that Americans, Mexicans and Spanish called "chiefs" but they did not command or rule or control in the usual meaning of the word. Nor did they inherit or pass on or have any title. Nor was there any organization of the whole tribe. There are about 60 clans and no clan leadership roles like in some other groups. Those that Americans and Spanish called "Chiefs" had influence and were good speakers, had lots of wealth and good clan relations and probably ceremonial knowledge. Navajo culture puts a very, very high importance on personal autonomy. To tell someone else what to do or even assume what they will do (even sometimes a child) is considered a grave social faux pas.

Answer 4

did the Pueblo indians have a chief