Navajo taboos

Navajo Taboos

What is taboo?

•Forbidden, therefor it has a consequence

Eclipse

•Do not eat while an eclipse, or they will have a swollen stomach or stomach problems•Don’t sleep during an eclipse because their eyes won't open again•Don't suppose to look at an eclipse, or they will go blind

Snakes

•Do not talk about snakes or they will come around. •Do not laugh at a snake or it will bite you. •Do not make faces at a snake or it will bite you some day. •Do not spit at a snake or it will come after you.

Bears

•Do not say "Shush" (bear) in the mountains because bears will come after you. •Do not laugh at bears or they will come after you.•Do not make fun of a bear or it will make you sick.

Dogs

•Do not buy a dog or cat for a pet or you will get poor. •Do not open the eyes of newborn kittens or puppies because you will go blind. •Do not watch a dog go to the bathroom or you will go crazy•Do not talk to dogs or other animals because they might talk back and you will die. •Do not let a dog eat in front of you when you butcher or you will lose the meat.

Lightening

•Do not stand up when there is lightning. If you sit down it will go away. •Do not yell when it is raining or you will be struck by lightning. •Do not climb a tree when it is raining because lighting might strike the tree.

• Do not lean against a wall during a storm or the lightning will strike you. • Do not ride a horse during a storm or you will be struck by lightning. • Do not touch metal objects when it is raining because you will be struck by lightning

Spiders

•Do not kill a spider unless you draw a circle around it and say, " you have no relatives." •Do not spit on a spider rock or you will not be able to breathe right.

Mother in law

• It is customary for the mother in law to not look at the son in law. They are to keep there distances.

Weaving• Weaving is only to be done in the months that

there are no snow falling or on the ground.

Ouija Board• Never to play with the Ouija board as you are

letting in spirits.

Arrowhead• Keeping a arrowhead near you helps you be safe.• Taking a arrowhead with you when you travel

helps to make you feel at home.

Death • Don’t talk about death or it will happen sooner.

Pregnancy

•Do not yell at a pregnant women or the baby will go deaf

Behavior

• Do not laugh when passing gas because you will get wrinkles right away

Behavior

•Do not make fun of older people because you might end up worse than them.