Table of Contents
The Hero Twins and the Old Lady Poverty
In Navajo teachings, the Hero Twins, or the “two boys,” journey to their father to acquire weapons needed to eliminate evil from the world. However, they encounter and spare an entity called “Old Lady Poverty” who pleads with them, stating that she serves a purpose. She warns that, without her presence, people would become idle; tools and clothing would never wear out, and people would have no need to work. Convinced, the twins allow her to live, understanding that her existence instills a need for people to work to sustain themselves.
The Sacred Mountains and the Journey of Earning
The teachings mention specific mountains within Navajo territory. One of the most significant is Mount Sis Naajini, also referred to as “Corizo Mountain,” where it is said one can “earn” the resources needed in life. These mountains are symbolic of challenges and the dedication required to gain wealth or sustenance, not by chance, but through hard work and persistence.
The Process of Earning in Life
The narrator emphasizes that acquiring resources, or “wealth,” requires effort, likened to climbing a mountain. On this journey, one might experience hunger, thirst, and fatigue, reflecting the hardships and perseverance needed to earn a living. Wealth, which includes essentials such as food, clothing, and shelter, can only be attained through active labor. In today’s world, this also extends to transportation and other means necessary for daily life.
Work as a Vital Element of Existence
Navajo teachings stress that work is essential to life, symbolizing movement and growth. Parents are responsible for instilling this value in their children from an early age. Tasks begin at dawn, with rituals such as preparing corn pollen or white cornmeal, representing readiness to meet the day’s responsibilities. Responsibilities expand with age, from tending to bedding and animals to learning essential survival skills.
Early Lessons in Self-Sufficiency
Growing up, children learn self-sufficiency through practical tasks. For the narrator, this included caring for animals, harnessing horses, hauling water, collecting wood, and harvesting crops. Later, learning to hunt safely was also part of this education. These early lessons serve to underscore that sustenance and survival require ongoing effort.
The Choice Between Work and Poverty
The teachings remind individuals that they have a choice between working or succumbing to poverty. Despite challenges in some parts of the Navajo reservation where employment may be limited, families pass down skills to promote self-reliance. For example, the women in the narrator’s family wove rugs, which they sold to support their households, while others engaged in silversmithing.
The Importance of Earning and Avoiding Poverty
Navajo wisdom encourages earning both essentials and luxuries through work. This practice is seen as a defense against poverty. By working, individuals can maintain the stability and resources needed to build and sustain their lives.
