Navajo witchcraft is a traditional belief system among the Navajo people, a Native American tribe located in the southwestern United States. This practice, also known as the "Navajo Way," is deeply rooted in the Navajo culture and forms an essential part of their spiritual beliefs. In the Navajo tradition, witchcraft is believed to be the result of negative energy and malevolent spirits that can bring harm to individuals or communities. The witches, known as "skinwalkers," are believed to possess the ability to shape-shift into animals and disguise themselves as humans. They are commonly thought to have acquired their powers through evil acts or by breaking cultural taboos. In Navajo culture, witchcraft is not seen as a good or evil force but rather as a natural part of the world.

Navajo witchcraft

For the Navajo people, witchcraft is just another part of their spirituality and one of the “Ways” of their religion. The Navajo are have a close relationship with nature and believe that there are two different kinds of people, Earth people who are mortals and Holy people that are unseen spiritual beings or guides. The Navajo believe that being ill and going through difficulties is a sign of someone’s life in “disorder” or being out of sync with the universe, but that their illness or problems can be healed during ceremonies with herbs, prayer and songs that are usually guided by medicine men.

While medicine men seek to heal, there are those who seek cause harm or misfortune to others using Navajo witchcraft. The term witchcraft is used loosely when referring to this aspect of Navajo spiritually because it bears very little resemblance to European witchcraft. This aspect of Navajo spirituality isn’t practiced by everyone, but it is practiced by some and is considered one of the Navajo Ways.

The Types of Navajo Witchcraft

The Navajo believe there are places where the powers of both good and evil are present and that those powers can be used either for good, such as healing people, or for evil. They believe that there is only a thin line that separates good from evil or the medicine man from the witch. There are four different Ways in Navajo witchcraft.

The Witchery Way - During their rituals, Navajo practitioners of witchcraft focus on corpses.
The Sorcery Way – During ceremonies, the victims’ have their personal objects or body parts, such as hair, buried.
The Wizardry Way – Foreign objects like poison or cursed darts are injected into the victim.
The Frenzy Way - Charms are used that influence victims’ mental or emotional states.

The Witchery Way is the best known form of Navajo witchcraft and, much like other Ways, it is handed down by the elders of the tribe to those who want to learn it. Each form of witchcraft is based on death, with the Witchery Way focused on corpses.

The most well known Navajo witches are called Skinwalkers. They practice the Witchery Way form of witchcraft and they are said to transform into animals. The Skinwalkers then take on the characteristics and skills of the animal whose form they take. The ceremonies are similar to other Navajo ceremonies, but with dark connotations.

Navajo witchcraft

This is the most lengthy and thorough study in existence devoted exclusively to witchcraft among the Navajos. (In fact, there is only one other, and that is by a psychologist.) The author, an outstanding authority on the tribe, has lived among Navajos over a period of many years, during which he collected the incidents and stories on which his witchcraft observations are based. This is a detailed account not only of the different types of witchcraft, but also of the function they play in the development of Navajo personality and their relation to other aspects of the society. A careful analysis is made of the reasons for the recent increase in the belief in witchcraft. In the text, all references to Arabic numbers within parentheses or preceded by a dash refer always to the numbered interview excerpts in the appendices. When the excerpts themselves are preceded by this sign #, they are paraphrases (written down later) or rough translations from the Navajo. Interviews marked with an asterisk come from the field notes of W. W. Hill. All other excerpts were written down at the time of the interview in the exact words of the informant or interpreter.

Subjects Theoretical orientation in research and its results Organization and analysis of results of research Adjustment processes Comparative evidence Acculturation and culture contact Functional and adaptational interpretations Hunting and trapping Recreational and non-therapeutic drugs Representative art Ingroup antagonisms Behavior toward non-relatives Social control Preventive medicine Sorcery Magical and mental therapy Mythology Eschatology Organized ceremonial Ethnobotany Ethnozoology Status and treatment of the aged culture Navajo HRAF PubDate 2004 Region North America Sub Region Southwest and Basin Document Type book chapter Evaluation Creator Type Ethnologist Document Rating 5: Excellent Primary Data Analyst Katchen S. Coley ; 1951 Coverage Date not specified Coverage Place Navajo Reservation, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, United States Notes Clyde Kluckhohn This document consists of excerpts Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-149) LCCN 44007396 LCSH Navajo Indians

keyboard_arrow_left Prev

keyboard_arrow_right Next

Navaho Witchcraft

". his description and analysis of Navaho ideas and actions related to witchcraft has relevance for the comparative consideration of how any society deals with the ambition for power, the aggressiveness and the anxiety of its members."

Genres AnthropologyNonfictionWitchcraftFolklore

254 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1963

About the author

Clyde Kluckhohn

In Navajo culture, witchcraft is not seen as a good or evil force but rather as a natural part of the world. The Navajo believe in the balance of the universe and that witchcraft is a way of maintaining this equilibrium. However, they also believe that the intentions and actions of the witches can be harmful and have adverse effects on others, such as causing illness, misfortune, or even death.

Ratings & Reviews

Friends & Following

Community Reviews

The subject is so taboo that it is incredibly difficult to learn anything about it. Having experienced it both firsthand and vicariously through the stories of my friends and their families, I appreciate Kluckhorn’s efforts. Though I didn’t feel right reading about it; thinking of a thing tends to bring it into existence & whatnot. *burns cedar*

This is an ethnography of Clyde Kluckhohn of witchcraft of Navaho. As an anthropologist, Kluckhohn was interested in understanding the misunderstanding within cultures to possibly avoid conflicts because he was horrified of the violence and destruction of humans has done during the World Wars. He wanted to give contributions to humans, thus analyzing cultural differences before they could become conflicts. With this in mind, he did extensive studies of the Navajo (over 37 years). (Navajo is the modern spelling, Navaho was the way it was spelled in 1944). Navaho Witchcraft, is a analysis of the ideas and behaviors that define witchcraft as well as the causes and reactions of witchcraft within the culture.

Not a huge fan of some of his ethnographic methods of speaking with informants – i.e. picking up drunk Navajo off the side of the road – but it in 1944 there were not the ethical issues that have are strictly enforced today. Nevertheless, it is a great read and again, it is interesting to see how these ideas of witchcraft from the Navajo are very similar to that of Western beliefs of witchcraft.

Navajo witchcraft is not solely focused on the malevolent actions of witches. It also involves various rituals, ceremonies, and medicinal practices aimed at healing and protection. Traditional Navajo healers called "medicine men" or "medicine women" play a vital role in combating witchcraft and restoring balance. These healers use their knowledge of herbs, prayers, and rituals to counteract the negative effects of witchcraft and restore harmony within the affected individuals or communities. To protect themselves from witchcraft, the Navajo people practice specific rituals and customs. They use a variety of herbs, feathers, and other objects to purify themselves and their dwellings. In addition, the Navajo have ceremonies like the "Blessingway," which involves prayers, songs, and stories aimed at promoting health, prosperity, and protection against witchcraft. Navajo witchcraft continues to be an integral part of the Navajo culture and spirituality. Despite the influence of modernization and outside influences, many Navajo people still strongly believe in the power of witchcraft and the need to maintain balance in their lives. This belief in the supernatural and the spiritual realm is deeply ingrained in their culture and plays a significant role in their daily lives..

Reviews for "The Controversial History of Navajo Witchcraft Suppression"

1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "Navajo witchcraft" to be extremely disappointing. The author claims to provide an insight into the Navajo culture and their belief in witchcraft, but it felt more like a shallow and inaccurate portrayal. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any significant understanding of the complex and rich traditions of the Navajo people. I would not recommend this book to anyone genuinely interested in learning about Navajo witchcraft or their cultural practices.

2. Michael - 2/5 stars - As someone who has an interest in different forms of witchcraft and spirituality, I was really looking forward to reading "Navajo witchcraft." However, I was left feeling quite underwhelmed. The book lacked the necessary research and understanding of the Navajo culture, and instead presented a simplified and almost stereotypical view of Navajo witchcraft. It failed to dig deeper into the intricacies of their rituals and beliefs, leaving me wanting more. If you're looking for a more accurate and in-depth exploration of Navajo witchcraft, I would recommend looking elsewhere.

3. Laura - 1/5 stars - I found "Navajo witchcraft" to be disrespectful and misrepresentative of the Navajo culture. The author's portrayal of Navajo witchcraft seemed more like a sensationalized Hollywood version rather than an accurate representation. The book was filled with highly inaccurate information, leading me to question the author's research and credibility. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking genuine knowledge about Navajo witchcraft or a respectful representation of their culture.

4. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Navajo witchcraft" left a lot to be desired. While I appreciate the author's effort to shed light on Navajo traditions, the book lacked depth and seemed more like a superficial overview. The explanations of various rituals and beliefs were too brief and lacked the necessary context for a proper understanding. I believe there are better resources available for those interested in learning about Navajo witchcraft that offer a more comprehensive and accurate perspective.

5. Emily - 1/5 stars - I regret picking up "Navajo witchcraft." The book was filled with misinformation and inaccuracies that were disrespectful to the Navajo culture. The author's lack of proper research and understanding was evident throughout the book, making it a poor representation of Navajo witchcraft. It was a complete letdown and did not provide the in-depth knowledge I was hoping for. Do yourself a favor and find a more reliable and respectful source if you wish to learn about Navajo witchcraft.

Navajo Witchcraft and Cultural Revitalization