They Sang for Horses; a Study of the Impact of the Horse on Navajo and Apache Folklore
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They sang for horses; a study of the impact of the horse on Navajo and Apache folklore Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Clark, LaVerne Harrell Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 11/10/2021 10:05:24 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/551590 THEY SANG FOR HORSES: A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE HORSE ON NAVAJO AND APACHE FOLKLORE by LaVerne Harrell Clark A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 19 6 2 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted In partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Ari zona and is deposited in The University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quota tion from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in their judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholar ship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. n . s SIGNED: ■HA APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This thesis has been approved on the date shown below: ' FRANCES 'GILLMOR Professor of English 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PAGE I. The Purpose ....................... ... x II. The Plan . ................. ... x III. The Southern Athapascan Tribes. xi IV. The Importance Of The Horse To The Southern Athapascans............. xiii V. Historical Data Concerning The Acquisition Of Horses By The Navajo And The Apache . xv A. The First Look At Horses And The Reaction To Them. xv B. The Dates Of Acquisition Of Horses By The Southern Athapascans XX C. Dating The Horse1s Transmission Into Navajo And Apache Folklore . xxviii VI. The Organization Of Folklore Material In This Study .......................... xxix CHAPTER I. THE HORSE OF THE GODS.................... 1 A. The Navajo And Apache Concept Of The Supernatural Horse In Song, Myth, Tale And Medicine Rites .... 1 B. The Deities’ Creation Of Horses For Themselves 9 C. The Deities’ Use Of Horses. 12 H i CHAPTER PAGE D. The Symbolism Of The Sun's Cardinal Horses ....... 15 The Cardinal Color Circuits Of The Navajo And Apache . 1 7 2. The Types Of Cardinal Horses. 26 a. The White Shell Horse. .... 26 b. The Turquoise H o r s e ................. 32 c. The Black Horse ....... ^3 d. The Yellow Horse. ...... ^7 e. The Spotted Horse And The Red Horse . II. THE GIFT OF THE GODS . ................ 62 A. The Wrong Choice Of Gifts By The Twin Culture Heroes ............... 62 B. The Creation Of Horses And The Mexican People For The Navajo Gambler . 68 C. The Dominant Themes In Myths And Folk Tales Concerning The Gift Or Release Of Horses To The Navajo And Apache . 70 1. Themes In Navajo Myths And Tales . 7 0 a. The Culture Hero's Search For The Horses Of The Gods . 70 b. The Holy Being's Gift Of Cere monial Knowledge To The Culture Hero For Use In The Creation ' Of Horses . • • 82 c. The Goddess's Creation Of Horses' And Her Gift To The People . 83 iv CHAPTER PAGE 2. Themes In Apache Myths And Tales . .95 a. The Sun's Gift Of Ceremonial Know ledge To San Carlos And White Moun tain Apache Culture Heroes For Use In The Creation Of Horses .... 95 b. The Culture Hero's Or Holy Being's Creation Of Horses For The White Mountain, Jicarilla And Lipan A p a c h e ................................ 103 c. Birds* Powers With Horses Among The Lipan. Mescalero And Chiricahua Apache.................. 108 d. The Animal Spirits' Freeing Or Helping To Free Domestic Animals Among The Chiricahua,Mescalero And Kiowa-Apache ..................... 115 e. The Culture Hero's Release Of Horses From The Jealous Horse Guardian For The Kiowa-Apache . 122 D. The Problems Brought By The Gift Of Horses As Shown In Navajo And Apache Legends And Humorous Tales . ... 123 III. THE MAGIC AND THE RITUAL OF THE RAID FOR HORSES. 131 A. Mythical And Economic Reasons............. For Horse Raids . ...... ... 131 B. The Development Of A Great Body Of Rituals Around Navajo And Apache Raids . .... 133 C. How Navajo And Apache Raids Differed From Their War E x c u r s i o n s ...................136 D. The Similarities Of The Raid Rituals With The War Rituals Of The Navajo And A p a c h e .................................... 138 v CHAPTER PAGE E. The Navajo Use Of Magical Powers On Raids . 139 1. Navajo Raiding Ceremonies'And Their Forms Of Power . 1^2 2. The Use Of War Medicine And War Songs On Raids . 153 F. The Apache Use Of Magical Powers On Raids . 156 1. The Use Of War Powers And War Medicines . 156 2. The Use Of Horse Power And Cattle Power . ....................157 G. The Navajo And Apache Use O f .......... Divination Powers On Raids . .165 H. The Pattern Of The Raid And The Forma lized Customs And Taboos Observed By Navajo And Apache Raiders ................. 167 1. Why Formalized Customs And Taboos Dominated Horse Raids ............. 167 2. Preparation For The Raid . 168 3. On The Journey Into Enemy Territory . 17^ b. The Arrival At And Departure ‘ From The Enemy C a m p ...................... 189 5. On The Journey Back H o m e ............... 19*+ 6. The Arrival Home With Horses . .197 IV. THE PEOPLE'S WAYS FOR KEEPING HORSES HOLY . .199 A. The Ceremonies, Songs And Powers Used By Navajo And Apache Shamans In Caring For H o r s e s ................................. .200 1. The Supernatural Experiences Of Navajo And Apache Shamans In Learning Cere monies And Songs For H o r s e s ............ 200 Vi CHAPTER PAGE 2. The Navajo Blessing Way Rites For The Good Of Horses ................ 209 3. The Reasons For The Differences In Navajo And Apache Ceremonies . 212 a. A Comparison Of The Differences . 213 b. The Place Of Shamanistic Ceremonies Among The Jicarilla Apache . .216 4. The Navajo And Apache Use Of Ceremonies, Songs And Powers With Race Horses . .219 5. The Apache Use Of Horse Ceremonies When Operating On Or Treating Sick Horses . .222 The Animal Husbandry Methods Practiced By The Navajo And Apache Owner In The Care Of.Horses ................ ............. 1. The Forms Of Ritual Used For The Increase And Protection Of Horses . .225 a. Navajo Good Luck Songs ............. 225 b. Navajo And Apache Prayers . 230 c. Special Prayers, Formalized Taboos And Customs Associated With Pack Horses On Ritualized Journeys. 232 d. Navajo "Sacred Name" Formulas. 237 2. The Non-Ritual Care And Treatment Of Horses . * . • • .239 a. Folk Medicines, Remedies And Health Customs .................... .239 b. Various Taboos And The Beliefs Associated With Them ............. .2^9 c. Grooming And Dress Customs .25^ The Regard Of The Navajo And Apache For Their Horses . .......................... , 257 vii CHAPTER PAGE V. THE SUPERNATURAL POWERS OF THE HORSE ......... IN CEREMONIES FOR HEALING THE PEOPLE .... 265 A. The Horse’s Symbolic Role As A Helper In Navajo Ceremonies To Cure Illnesses Brought On By Other Creatures And Forces 265 1. The Beauty Way ....................... .268 2. The Water Chant . ................. .272 3. The Blessing W a y ....................... .273 B. The Horse’s Dual Role In Causing Injury And In Restoring The Injured ............. .275 1. The Navajo And Apache Concept Of The Retaliatory Role Of The Horse . .275 2. The Restoration Role Of The Horse In Navajo And Apache Ceremonies a. The Navajo Flint Way Ceremony . .281 b. The Apache Horse Ceremonies To Heal People ............. ... (1.) The Powers Of The Guardian Horses And Real Horses In Restoring The Injured . 289 (2.) The Co-operation Between Horse Shamans And Their Powers . .... .. 3. The Horse’s Role In Witchcraft . 309 VI. THE ROLE OF THE HORSE IN OTHER CEREMONIES AND FOLK CUSTOMS .................... 315 A. In Navajo And Apache Birth Customs . 315 B. In Puberty Ceremonies ...................... 1. The Chiricahua And Mescalero Apache. 316 viil CHAPTER PAGE 2. The N a v a j o ..............................321 3. The Jicarilla Apache . 324 C. In Navajo And Apache Marriage Customs . 328 1. The Importance Of The Gift Of Horses . 328 2. The Marriage Preliminaries And Procedures.332 3. The Death Of This Custom . 339 D. In Navajo Rain Ceremonies . 3^1 E. In Navajo And Apache Death Customs . 346 1. The Importance Of Killing The Favorite Horse Or Horses ............... 34? 2. The Number Of Horses Killed And The Role Of The Ones Remaining . 354 3. The Observance Of These Customs Today . 356 CONCLUSION . 359 APPENDIX THE IDENTIFICATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN ATHAPASCAN TRIBES ................ 362 I. The Eastern Apachean Division ....................362 A. The Jicarilla A p a c h e ......................... 362 B. The Kiowa-Apache............................... 363 C. The Lipan Apache .................. 365 II. The Western Apachean Division .................... 36? A. The Chiricahua A p a c h e ...................... 367 B. The Mescalero Apache ................ ... 369 C. The Na v a j o .....................................370 D. The Western Apache Groups (Cibecue, San Carlos, Southern Tonto, Northern Tonto And White Mountain) . 374 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................ .......................... 382 ix INTRODUCTION I. The Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine for the first time the impact of the horse on Navajo and Apache folklore following its introduction to Southwestern soil by the Spaniards in the early part of the seventeenth century.