Cover of The Mountain Chant, A Navajo Ceremony

The Mountain Chant, A Navajo Ceremony

Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1883-84, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1887, pages 379-468

by Washington Matthews

Read

"The Mountain Chant: A Navajo Ceremony" by Dr. Washington Matthews is an ethnographic account written in the late 19th century. The work focuses on the ceremonial practices of the Navajo tribe, particularly the Mountain Chant, which involves intricate rituals performed by shamans or medicine men. The text provides insights into the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the Navajo people, showcasing their connection to the land and the supernatural through various ceremonies and myths. The opening of the text introduces the Mountain Chant ceremony, describing its significance as one of the major Navajo rites intended for healing and invoking blessings for good harvests. Matthews notes that while the ceremony features a series of public performances, it also comprises numerous secret rituals that span several days. He begins by recounting a myth that explains the ceremony's origins and the importance of the characters involved, particularly a family that discovers a life-sustaining spring and their subsequent adventures. As the narrative unfolds, readers encounter themes of survival, spirituality, and the transmission of knowledge within the Navajo community, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these cultural practices throughout the text.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.

Language
English
On Project Gutenberg since
17 March 2007
Read in the last 30 days
838 times at Project Gutenberg

More by Washington Matthews

See all

More from the shelf “Paganism”

See all

Subjects and shelves