9. Diné Bikeyah –– Navajo country
10. Hataalii –– Shaman (Singer)*
11. Hastiin –– (Hosteen) Man or Mr. *
12. hogan –– (Hoogahn) dwelling or house
13. Hozo –– To walk in beauty *
14. Ma’iitsoh –– Wolf
15. Shimásáni –– grandmother
16. Shiyé –– Cousin/brother
17. Shizhé’é –– Father *
18. Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii –– Monument Valley
19. Yaa’ eh t’eeh –– Greeting; Hello
20. Yeenaaldiooshii –– Skinwalker; witch*
*See Notes
Notes
1. Acheii –– Grandfather – there are several words for Grandfather, depending on how formal the intent and the gender of the speaker.
2. Aa’a’ii –– Long known as a trickster or “thief of little things.” It is thought Magpie can speak and sometimes brings messages from the beyond.
4. A-hah-la’nih –– A greeting; affectionate version of Yaa’ eh t’eeh, generally only used among family and close friends.
7. Chindi –– When a person dies inside a hogan, it is said that his chindi or spirit remains there forever, causing the hogan to be abandoned. Chindi are not considered benevolent entities. For the traditional Navajo, just speaking a dead person’s name may call up his chindi and cause harm to the speaker or others.
10. Hataalii –– Generally known as a “Singer” among the Diné, these men are considered “Holy Men” and have apprenticed to older practitioners—sometimes for many years—to learn the ceremonies. They make the sand paintings that are an integral part of the healing and know the many songs that must be sung in the correct order.
11. Hastiin –– The literal translation is “man” but is often considered the word for “Mr.” as well. “Hosteen” is the usual version Anglos use.
13. Hozo –– For the Navajo “hozo” (sometimes hozoji) is a general state of well-being, both physical and spiritual, that indicates a certain “state of grace,” which is referred to as “walking in beauty.” Illness or depression is the usual cause of “loss of hozo,” which may put one out of sync with the people as a whole. There are ceremonies to restore hozo and return the ailing person to a oneness with the people.
14. Ma’iitsoh –– The Navajo Wolf is yet another reference to one of the many forms a witch can take, something like a werewolf in this instance.
17. Shizhé’é –– (or Shih-chai) There are several words for “Father,” depending on the degree of formality intended and sometimes even the gender of the speaker.
20. Yeenaaldiooshii –– These witches, as they are often referred to, are the chief source of evil or fear in traditional Navajo superstitions. They are thought to be capable of many unnatural acts, such as flying or turning themselves into werewolves and other ethereal creatures; hence the term Skinwalkers, referring to their ability to change forms or skins.
Wolves of Winter: A Navajo Nation Mystery Page 19
