Navajo+Philosophy

BerloNavajoPhilosophy.docx For Yale Seminar participants, July 2013 Janet C. Berlo

Here are some of my favorites on Navajo philosophy: Farella, John, //The Main Stalk: A Synthesis of Navajo Philosophy// (U. Arizona Press, 1984) I love this book. Last I looked it was out of print, but well worth trying to find a copy.

Capps, W. H., ed. //Seeing With a Native Eye: Essays on Native American Religion//, (Harper and Row, 1976) Good things in here, too—especially the essay that the title of the book comes from.

Gary Witherspoon, //Language and Art in the Navajo Universe// (Ann Arbor, Mich., 1977). Just chapter 4: Beautifying the World Through Art.”

Zolbrod, Paul, //Diné Bahane: The Navajo Creation Story// (U. New Mexico Press 1984) Not exactly on “philosophy” but it is the Navajo “bible”—all about creation, beautifully translated by a great scholar. Big thick book, though! Lots available used on Amazon, I’m sure.