In Navajo culture, dark magic is seen as a harmful spiritual force that can cause illness or misfortune to individuals or communities. Therefore, eliminating dark magic is an important practice in Navajo tradition. Navajo dark magic, also known as witchcraft or sorcery, is believed to be performed by individuals who have acquired special supernatural powers and use them for malicious purposes. These individuals, known as witches or sorcerers, are believed to have the ability to harm others through various means, such as curses, spells, and rituals. The Navajo have developed several methods to detect and eliminate dark magic. One common method is through the use of a medicine man or woman, also known as a hataałii.
Dr Dabholkar talking to a family. Dr Dabholkar, who practises in Maharashtra state, grew up hearing his father rage against black magic practitioners who prey on poor and ignorant Indians. Photo: Handout
Dr Dabholkar, who practises in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra, grew up hearing his father rage against black magic practitioners that prey on poor and ignorant Indians. James Carleton to Thompson, September 19, 1863, in Navajo Roundup Selected Correspondence of Kit Carson s Expedition against the Navajo , 1863 1865, ed.
One common method is through the use of a medicine man or woman, also known as a hataałii. These spiritual practitioners have extensive knowledge of Navajo ceremonies, rituals, and prayers and are believed to have the power to counteract the effects of dark magic. When a person believes they are under the influence of dark magic, they may consult a hataałii for a diagnosis and treatment.
The Long Walk
During an era when many Native Nations found themselves forcibly removed from their homelands, the Navajo ( Diné ) also faced increasing pressure to leave their ancestral home .
In the mid-1800s, the United States emerged as a nation driven to expand its territory west of the Mississippi. Spain controlled much of the land that today is known as the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Following the Mexican-American War and the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 , the United States was poised to take more lands and increase settlement in the Southwest. Like many Native Nations, the Navajo (Diné) signed treaties as well as fought against American efforts to create pathways from the East to California.
Despite all their efforts, the Navajo (Diné) people were removed from their homelands by the United States government in the 1860s. However, they maintained an unflinching resolve to return home.
Map of Navajo Homelands
Map by Gene Thorp/Cartographic Concepts, Inc. © Smithsonian Institution.The traditional homelands of the Navajo ( Diné ) are marked by four sacred mountains that stretch across modern-day Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
According to tribal stories, the Navajo (Diné) emerged from the lower worlds to this region, which they call Dinétah , or “among the People.” Dinétah is the place where earth people and Holy People interacted; their relationships form the foundation of cultural practices that underlie Navajo (Diné) life today.
After many invasions by Spain, Mexico, and eventually the United States, the Navajo (Diné) mounted campaigns of resistance in order to remain in their ancestral homelands .
Discussion Question
- Think of a place that is important to you. What people, stories, or celebrations do you associate with this place? Why are those connections important?
Major General James H. Carleton ordered Christopher (Kit) Carson to defeat the Navajo ( Diné ) resistance by conducting a scorched-earth campaign across the Navajo (Diné) homelands. Carson burned villages, slaughtered livestock , and destroyed water sources in order to reduce the Navajo (Diné) to starvation and desperation.
With few choices, thousands of Navajo (Diné) surrendered and were forced to march between 250 and 450 miles to the Bosque Redondo Reservation. While intended to be a reservation , Bosque Redondo functioned as an internment camp . The U.S. stationed soldiers there to make sure that the Navajo (Diné) could not leave.
From the beginning the plan was to force the Navajo (Diné) to adopt white American cultural values; however, many Navajo (Diné) resisted cultural assimilation and would continue the fight until they were allowed to return to their homelands.
If the army placed the Navajo on a reservation far “from the haunts and hills and hiding places of their country” they would “acquire new habits, new ideas, new modes of life.” “Civilizing” the Navajo could be best achieved through their children: “The young ones will take their places without these longings: and thus, little by little, they will become a happy contented people.”
James Carleton to Thompson, September 19, 1863, in Navajo Roundup: Selected Correspondence of Kit Carson’s Expedition against the Navajo, 1863–1865, ed. Lawrence C. Kelly (Boulder, CO: Pruett Publishing, 1970), 56–57.
Discussion Questions
- How would you describe the United States’ actions against the Navajo (Diné)?
- What inferences can you make about why the United States wanted to remove the Navajo (Diné) from their homelands?
Between 1863 and 1866, more than 10,000 Navajo (Diné) were forcibly removed to the Bosque Redondo Reservation at Fort Sumner, in current-day New Mexico. During the Long Walk, the U.S. military marched Navajo (Diné) men, women, and children between 250 to 450 miles, depending on the route they took.
Discussion Question
- Take a map and find a location 250 miles from where you live. Imagine what it would be like to walk that distance: what challenges would people face if forced to march a distance that far?
“These soldiers do not have any regard for the women folks. They took unto themselves for wives somebody else’s wife, and many times the Navajo man whose wife was being taken tried to ward off the soldiers, but immediately he was shot and killed and they took his wife.”
John Daw, testimony before the Land Claims Commission, 1951, cited in “The Navajo ‘Long Walk,’” by Crawford R. Bruell, in The Changing Ways of Southwestern Indians: A Historic Perspective, ed. Albert Schroeder (Glorieta, NM: Rio Grande Press, 1971), 177.
Navajo (Diné) oral history tells the stories of those who lived through the terror inflicted at the hands of Carson’s men on the Long Walk: they showed no regard for women, children, or families. When the people became exhausted, the soldiers became harsh, sometimes shooting prisoners rather than allowing the Navajo (Diné) to rest.
Discussion Question
- What does this testimony tell you about how some U.S. soldiers regarded Navajo (Diné) people?
My Father’s Torture, 2012. Mural painting by Shonto Begay, Courtesy of Fort Sumner Historic Site/Bosque Redondo Memorial.
When the Navajo (Diné) were forcibly marched to the internment camp known as Bosque Redondo, they suffered enormous loss and horrific conditions at the hands of the United States government.
Discussion Questions
- What helps people maintain strength in difficult times?
- How might the Navajo (Diné) have stayed strong, despite the challenges they encountered?
By side-lining the moralistic aspects of religion, scholars engage in a dialogue with magic ritual sources across and outside South Asia. This has a two-pronged effect: it breaks away from the exclusivist tendencies of our culture today, and compels advocates of strict materialism to embrace a more inclusive view of the human experience, one that contains a multitude of realities, both seen and unseen.
The hataałii will perform a detailed examination, often involving a ceremony called the "Enemyway," to identify the source of the dark magic and determine the appropriate course of action. Once the source of the dark magic is identified, the hataałii will prescribe various remedies to eliminate its effects. These remedies may include ceremonies, rituals, herbal medicines, prayers, and songs. The hataałii will lead the individual through these treatments, often involving the participation of the community, to restore balance and harmony. It is important to note that the elimination of dark magic is not solely the responsibility of the hataałii. Individuals are also encouraged to take preventative measures to protect themselves from dark magic. These measures may include following cultural taboos and norms, maintaining strong relationships with loved ones and the community, and practicing rituals and ceremonies. In conclusion, the Navajo have developed a rich tradition of eliminating dark magic through the expertise of the hataałii. By identifying the source of dark magic and prescribing appropriate remedies, these spiritual practitioners work to restore balance and harmony to individuals and communities affected by dark magic. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to take preventative measures to protect themselves from the harmful effects of dark magic..
Reviews for "Healing the Land: Navajo Practices for Eliminating Dark Magic From the Earth"
- Karen - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Navajo dark magic elimination". The plot was weak and the characters were underdeveloped. It felt like the author was just throwing in random elements of Navajo culture without any real understanding or respect for the traditions and beliefs. The whole concept of "dark magic elimination" just seemed like a cheap gimmick to me. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an authentic and well-crafted story.
- John - 2 stars
I found "Navajo dark magic elimination" to be a somewhat confusing and disjointed read. The pacing was off, and the transitions between scenes were choppy. The writing itself was also very mediocre, with repetitive phrasing and cliched dialogue. Additionally, I felt that the representation of Navajo culture was shallow and lacking depth. Overall, I was not impressed and would not consider reading anything else by this author.
- Sarah - 2.5 stars
The concept of "Navajo dark magic elimination" had so much potential, but unfortunately, it fell short in execution. The story lacked consistency and coherence, making it difficult to fully engage with the plot. The characters felt one-dimensional and the resolution of conflicts seemed forced and rushed. While there were some intriguing moments throughout the book, I ultimately felt unsatisfied by the overall reading experience. I don't think I would recommend this to others, but I can see how it might appeal to readers who enjoy fast-paced and fantastical stories without delving too deeply into character development or cultural accuracy.