Opposite Hogans
(3)

1. Opening A.

2. The teeth, from above, pick up the four strings that cross in the center of the figure and draw them toward the body.

3. Release loops from 1 and 2 but do not extend. Pass both hands upward through the 5 loop while releasing it from 5, thus forming a wrist loop.

4. Below the wrist loop three hanging loops are held in the teeth: two shorter loops and a longer loop. 5 passes over the far wrist string, down, toward the body, and under the long loop. 5 hooks up the free end of the long loop and returns over the far wrist string, pressing its tip against the palm to secure the retrieved string.

5. On each hand a string runs from the mouth to the far wrist string. 5 picks up this string, drawing it through the loop hooked down by 5, which slips off as 5 is straightened.

6. Release the mouth strings and extend.

WATCH VIDEO

Notes: In Jayne’s book this figure is called ‘Two Hogans’ (Jayne 1906:121- 123). Our informants at Many Farms did not extend the design by biting the center strings and displaying the hogans side-by-side, as described by Jayne. This may have something to do with the mother-in-law avoidance taboo illustrated by this figure. Mike Mitchell writes: “During early times Navajos were not allowed to look upon their in-laws. So an in-law would make his or her house (hogan) facing the opposite way to prevent any eye contact.” (Mitchell 1999:16). Even today a taboo prohibits two couples from sharing the same hogan (Newcomb 1966:156). The Navajo name for this figure is A[ts'33' Hooghan7.

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