Navajo Sand Painting: An Analysis

In comparing The Tibetan Mandala and the Navajo Sand painting the sand drawings are from different cultures, yet their purpose is the same. A better understanding and appreciation comes with looking at these works.

Many traditional Native medicines and healing practices were discouraged with the advent of Western medicine, but now there is a movement to return to traditional ways (Zubek, 1994, p. 1924). Modern Western medicine treats the symptoms to cure a diseased state when the body is out of homeostasis. Native American healing traditions do this as well with herbs and plants suited to the purpose. These Native healing traditions also include sacred rituals, chants, and purification rites to help bring the spirit and mind of the afflicted back into balance. In effect, treating the whole person, not only the disease. A blending of these two healing practices could bring about better prognoses for today's patients. The purpose of this paper is

The Navajo people are very geared toward family life and events that surround their lifestyle. There have been many games and traditions that have emerged from their love of the land. They were able to blend both traditional and modern ways of life. Some of the things that the Navajo’s believe is that the Dine` passed through three different worlds before emerging into this world. In their language the Dine` means “Children of God”.

The Navajo had many ceremonies, some as long as nine days, which they were famous for. On average though, ceremonies were around three to four days long (“Navajo Culture”). The Navajo were hugely into nature, and used a type of art called ‘Sandpainting’ as a spiritual way to involve nature with the healing of the ill, mentally or physically. Their ceremonies also included dry paintings or altars, and every aspect of every day life is considered ceremonial. “The Navajo culture used Sandpainting as a spiritual way to heal the sick.

There are some methods of healing that are outside traditional medicine. For many cultures, including Mexican culture, having a shaman or medicine healer is very common. In Mexico they call this person a curandera or curandero. A curandera can help anyone who is having bad luck to suffering from a long-term illness like cancer. These sessions usually consist of one or a combination of the following prayer, medicinal plants, eggs, floral waters, spiritual cleansings known as Limpias, along with massage, indigenous acupuncture, and/or ceremony bring about internal and external balance (Sesma, 2014).

According to the history of the Navajo Tribe, the Holy People lived in the underworld and helped by guiding the First Man and First Woman to earth (McCoy 1988). The Holy People are said to be attracted to songs, dances, and chants during the ceremony along with the creation of Sandpainting. The Sandpainting is used in the healing process of the ceremony to draw a picture that tells a story of the Holy People. The Navajo culture have amazed so many people to how beautifully constructed the rituals are performed.

The Navajo Indians have influenced the history and culture in Arizona in the 21st century. Through the past and present the Navajo Indians have been around dated back to centuries before Christopher Columbus landed in America. The Navajo were established in the Four Corners. The rich culture that the Navajo have been creating is still current today and influenced our states’ beauty.

erosion of the Aboriginal culture.(chp.2). Restrictions placed on the cultural practices of the Aboriginal people ultimately led to the abatement of the Aboriginal traditional medicines.(p88). Losing their freedom to practice traditional therapeutics, the Aboriginal people eventually had to adapt to the culturally inappropriate ways of western medicines. The purpose of this paper is to examine the advantages of Aboriginal healing methods for the Aboriginal people, as well as to explain why these traditional methods continued to persist long after western style medicines were introduced.

Describe one of the pieces of indigenous art and how this indigenous art is an expression of sovereignty, as defined by Joanne Barker.

Native American traditional medicine and spiritual healing rituals go back for thousands of years, these traditions often focus on different variations of alternative medicine. This knowledge is passed on throughout generations, many of the tribes learn that by mixing natural plants such as herbs and roots they can make remedies with healing properties. It is believed that being healthy is when people reach a state of harmony not only spiritually, mentally but physically. To be able to overcome the forces that cause illness people must “operate in the context of relationship to four constructs —namely, spirituality (Creator, Mother Earth, Great Father); community (family, clan, tribe/nation); environment (daily life, nature, balance); and self (inner passions and peace, thoughts, and values)” (Portman & Garret, 2006, p.453). In this research paper I am going to show evidence of the tremendous influence that Native American medicine and spiritual healing have over modern medicine in the course of healing

American culture is made up of many different people, and many of those people come from Indian tribes. The United States Governments Federal Register lists 566 tribes recognized as of August 2012. One of those tribes is the Navajo which can be found primarily in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Navajo culture is one that many people associate with by what is portrayed in movies. People view the culture as land raiding individuals that pillaged and wreaked havoc with anyone and anything they came in contact with.

Native American art is a profoundly expressive culture that has been a way of life for so many Native Americans. Native American art history has advanced over thousands of years and is composed of several idiosyncratic styles from the differentiating cultures of diverse Indian tribes. From Navajo to Hopi, each tribe has a particular history, which consists of many types of Native American arts including beadwork, jewelry, weaving, pottery, carvings, kachinas, masks, totem poles, and more. To truly understand Native American art, we will explore Native American art history, its subjects, and if Native American art has a spiritual connection to it.

According to the history of the Navajo Tribe, the Holy People lived in the underworld and helped by guiding the First Man and First Woman to earth (McCoy 1988). The Holy People are said to be attracted to songs, dances, and chants during the ceremony along with the creation of Sandpainting. The Sandpainting is used in the healing process of the ceremony to draw a picture that tells a story of the Holy People. The Navajo culture have amazed so many people to how beautifully constructed the rituals are performed.

My parents tell us about the fiestas de la plaza and my mom tells us stories about the santuario. Basically they tell us about their lives in Mexico and how they grew up compared to me and my brothers. I think these stories are important to tell because it makes me learned more about my parents when they were younger. Also I get to learn more in how they grew up and what lead them to come to the U.S. Although there’s no stories about these practices, there are certain home remedies that have been passed down from generations for instance, we use Yerba Buena when someone is sick or has abdominal pain. Vapor rub when someone has the common cold, cough or difficultly breathing. Placing aloe Vera on sunburns. Also for coughs taking three spoons of honey with lemon for sore throat. We drink these teas that allows us to cleanse our systems and ease the pain for instance, té de Manzanilla (chamomile tea). Basically my parents would follow traditions that their parents have used and use it on us. I think the reason why these traditions are passed down is because my parents want us to continue using these home remedies they want us to use more natural ingredients instead of depending too much on pharmacological medicines. Also growing up I have heard some ridiculous myths or stories that my mother have said, for instance, she believes if you walk barefoot you might get sick especially when you step into the cold floor. Another believe that my parents think is that if you go outside after taking a shower and its a cold day you might get

Blending old with new, traditional and modern Western medicine and treatment give the Navajo the best of both worlds culturally. Medicine from the Navajo perspective is about healing people by restoring balance and harmony to the spirit. Prayer as well as balance healing rituals like “Walking in Beauty” (O’Brien,