Within the Four Sacred Mountains

Within the Four Sacred Mountains
By
Russell Keith
(Lloyd Burton, ed.)
Ya-at-eeh, My name is
Russell Keith and I am of
the Dine (Navajo) tribe. I
am born of the Taachiini
(Red-Running-into-theWater) Clan and born for
the To-dich-iinii (Bitter
Water) Clan. During the
summer of 2009, I served as
a seasonal cultural resource
interpreter at Natural
Bridges/Hovenweep
National Monument in
southeastern Utah, within
the bounds of the lands
held sacred by my people.
In the beginning the Navajo lived in four
worlds previous to coming to this fifth world.
Upon arriving to this new world the Holy
Beings began to build and create this new
place. Among them were First Man and First
Woman.
THE EAST MOUNTAIN IS KNOWN AS BLANCA
PEAK NEAR ALAMOSA, CO. THE NAVAJO CALL
IT SISNAAJINI (BLACK BELTED MOUNTAIN)
THE SOUTH MOUNTAIN IS KNOWN AS MOUNT
TAYLOR NEAR ACOMA, NM. THE NAVAJO
CALL IT TSOODZIL (TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN)
THE WEST MOUNTAIN IS KNOWN AS THE SAN
FRANCISCO PEAKS NEAR FLAGSTAFF, AZ. THE
NAVAJO CALL IT DOOK-O-OOSLIID
(MOUNTAIN THAT REFLECTS)
THE NORTH MOUNTAIN IS KNOWN AS MOUNT
HESPERUS NEAR DURANGO, CO. THE NAVAJO
CALL IT DIBE NITSAA (BIG SHEEP)
This mountain (Gobernador Knob) is also
sacred because it was where Changing Woman
was born. Changing Woman is very important
because she gave birth to two sons (twins) who
became heroes to the Navajo people. Changing
Woman also created the first four Navajo clans.
These four clans are known as Hashtl’ishnii
(Mud People), Kin Yaa’aani (Towering House),
Honaghaahnii (One Walks Around You), and
To dich’iinii (Bitter Water).
All things were shaped and created by the Holy
Beings. They all are living and can be appealed
to for certain things. They can all be used for
good or evil and that is why the Navajo way is
to live in Beauty and Harmony with everything
in life.
To the Navajo almost everything has a story or
meaning to it. The following are just a few of
these stories:
These two rocks were left behind
by the two sons of Changing
Woman. These twins were called
Monster Slayer and Born for Water.
They helped rid the land of the
monsters who inhabited the area
and killed the people.
The twin heroes were able to do so
by receiving lightning bolt arrows
from their father Johonaee (The Sun
Bearer).
After killing off all of the monsters
the twin heroes left these two
sacred prayer sticks for the Navajo
people to use in ceremonies.
The Navajo people
say that these are
water barrels and
help in the aid of
providing water for
crops.
The Bear is greatly respected
among the Navajo. Some stories
tell of how he gave us sacred
ceremony songs.
Bear was also one of the animals
whom was sent back with the Twin
Heroes when they returned from
their fathers house in the west.
The Bear is a symbol of Protection.
In the picture to the right the bear is
seen as lying on the ground
sleeping. It is told that he waits for
the time when the Navajo need his
protection.
Also known as El Capitan, this rock
formation is said to be one of the
spires that holds up the sky.
The name Agathla comes from the
Navajo language and means much
wool.
It is said that a snake lives within
this rock and possesses the power
to draw in his food. After eating
his prey the snake then spits out the
hair from the carcass and it lands
around the peak where it received
its name Agathla for having much
wool surrounding its base.
THESE FORMATIONS ARE ANCIENT NAVAJO
WARRIORS NOW FROZEN IN STONE.
CEREMONIES ARE DONE FOR PROTECTION
HERE, ESPECIALLY FOR SERVICEMEN WHO
ARE LEAVING FOR WAR.
Big Snake who was sent back with the Twin Heroes
traveled through here and left his coil markings.
Natural Bridges National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, and
many other sites in the Colorado Plateau feature this serpentine
meandering of high desert rivers. Over the millions of years they cut
deeper canyons into the landscape, they flowed in connected semi-circles,
the faster flow on the outside of the circle cutting the channel deeper, and
the slower inner circle depositing more sediment. To the Navajo, this is
evidence of the passage of the Great Serpent, whose powers of rebirth
(shedding of skin) demonstrate the continuing rebirth of the people’s
relationship with the land through the power of the Serpent spirit.
A Beautiful Maiden married Coyote
and became very evil. She had the
power to change into a bear and
eventually killed all of her brothers
who were against her marrying
Coyote. The youngest brother
survived and eventually destroyed
his sister. After defeating his sister
he threw her body parts away. Her
limbs became the bears of today
and her head landed near Natural
Bridges National Monument. Her
ears still stick up to this very day.
She is called Changing Bear
Maiden.
The Navajo people perform
ceremonies here for people who
have gone crazy just as the maiden
did.
This ridge that stretches
for 100 miles starts west
of Blanding, Ut and ends
near Kayenta, Az.
Many believe this is Big
Snake who was sent
back with the Twin
Heroes when they left
their fathers house.
Many Navajo Medicine
Men travel here to say
prayers for protection
and to help heal the sick.
To the Navajo people these places which are all
within the Four Sacred Mountains* remind us of
who we are and where we came from. They teach
and remind us how to live in the way of Beauty
and Harmony. I am proud to be Navajo and enjoy
teaching others about my culture. If I may leave
you with one thing it is with this lesson my father
taught me.
Share your knowledge so that others may learn
and be ready to learn as well.
(*Some of these places are outside of the four sacred mountains but
are included because they reside within the four sacred rivers.)
Thanks to Dr. Lloyd Burton and the Place and
Native Voice program. Also, all my gratitude,
pleasure and love to my Parents, Grandparents,
and Elders for teaching me about who I am and
my people.