Table of Contents
Introduction to Ancestral Teachings
The video presents Navajo teachings about the Anasazi, known as “Anaza” by the Navajo people. The speaker shares traditional stories and historical perspectives passed down through generations.
Time Periods of the Anaza
According to Navajo teachings, there are three time periods associated with the Anaza:
- Before their arrival
- During their time among the Navajo people
- After their destruction
The Anaza are believed to have existed in the Southwest for only a short period, estimated at around 300 years. This time was marked by significant cultural differences between the Anaza and the Navajo.
Cultural and Religious Differences
The Navajo teachings describe distinct differences in worship and worldview between the Navajo and the Anaza. The Anaza reportedly worshipped darkness and mocked the deities respected by the Navajo, who valued their connection with sacred beings. This ideological conflict was a source of tension and mistrust.
The Anaza’s Migration and Settlement
The Anaza are believed to have come from the south, crossing areas such as the Sonoran Desert into what is now the American Southwest. They eventually settled in regions like Chaco Canyon, a central trade hub with existing populations. Upon arrival, the Anaza gained control of the area, capturing the local people and using their established networks for trade.
Interaction with the Pueblo People
The Anaza interacted with various Pueblo communities, often through trade. However, these interactions were marked by the Anaza’s oppressive behaviors, including enslavement. The Navajo people maintained a separate identity, with the Anaza referring to them mockingly. The Navajo responded by continuing their traditions and resisting the Anaza’s influence.
The Downfall of the Anaza
Traditional stories recount that the Anaza’s downfall resulted from their defiance of the sacred Navajo deities. They claimed superiority over the Navajo gods, which, according to legend, led to their eventual destruction through natural disasters and internal conflict. Some of the Anaza’s own enslaved captives ultimately turned against them, contributing to their demise.
Practices of the Anaza and Lasting Effects
The Anaza were known for controversial practices such as cannibalism and child sacrifices, which were in stark contrast to the Navajo’s peaceful and respectful ways of life. Some Navajo clans later adopted certain practices from the Anaza, including slavery, which led to divisions within the Navajo community. Families that chose to adopt these practices often moved away from the main Navajo society.
Trade and Cultural Exchange
Despite their differences, the Navajo people traded with the Anaza for various goods. Items like pearls and colorful birds, which were not locally available, were highly valued. This trade extended to agricultural knowledge, with the Navajo exchanging seeds and agricultural techniques with the Pueblo peoples and the Anaza.
Conclusion
The teachings about the Anaza emphasize the importance of understanding the past and respecting traditional Navajo beliefs. The video encourages viewers to consider the history and values of the Navajo and to reflect on the cultural impacts of different groups within the region.
I find it upsetting that today’s Puebloan people (supposedly) insist that the Navajo are inferring that they are referring to their ancestors when they use their word(s) which has been rendered “ANASAZI” in the ENGLISH language dictionaries. (I say supposedly, because I’m not sure if an official record, showing if or how a vote of the Pueblo people occurred, exists. Therefore it is unclear if the matter was even approved by a majority of the people)
Clearly, as shown in this article, the Navajo emphasize that their understanding of their words for “Ancient Enemy”, (only one of two possible interpretations-the other being “Ancient Ones”), does NOT-I repeat, does NOT even refer to the Puebloans! (As is revealed in this article)
So, of course, my question then, is why do the Puebloans insist on taking offense to Navajo word(s) that do not even refer to them? And why do they take offense to the Anglicized word, (Anasazi), ADOPTED FROM the very different, (in both spelling and pronunciation), Navajo word(s)? After all, the word “enemy” NEVER appears in any English Dictionary entry I’ve seen. It only appears in the derivation footnote. ALL of these Dictionary definitions are basically the same. They define it as “Ancestral Puebloan”-the exact preferred term the Pueblo desire! So, why would the Puebloans object?
To me, it appears that the Puebloans want to assert personal exclusive ownership of all Ancient 4-Corners sites and the people who lived there. They are, essentially, first, refuting/negating ANY OTHER TRIBES possible connections to these sites and people, by not including people with a verifiable DNA profile, consonant with that discovered in ancient 4-Corner human remains, in the process of declaring what their, ALL OF THEIR, ancestors should be called.
Secondly, it appears that the Puebloans are attempting to refute/negate the Navajo version of ancient history. Which presents them with a problem:
Since the archeological record is absolutely clear that tyranny, violence, human sacrifice and even cannibalism have been verified in the ancient culture, then this means that, by their own assertion, that it was their ancestors, AND ONLY THEIR ANCESTORS, that were guilty of these abominations. (Since they deny that the separate race that the Navajo identify as perpetrators were NOT the Puebloans!)
So the Puebloans want it both ways. They deny that it was THEIR ancestors doing abominable acts, yet they insist that there were no other peoples/races living in the area! I’m sorry, but this is absolutely contradictory, and we all, (who hold rationality dear), need to be brave enough to stand up to the Puebloans, who have craftily manipulated, and continue to manipulate the public of our nation, using Natives and non-Natives, like the Archeological Community and the National Park Service, to triangulate in their attempt to discredit their largest neighboring Native tribe, and thereby attempt to gain some kind of recognition as being superior to them.
We have seen through this and need to stand together against this wrongful and self-contradictory behavior.