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Cultural Significance | Navajo Starlore | Orion
Introduction
Navajo Philosophy and World View
Organization of the Cosmos
Navajo Taboos
Navajo Ceremonialism and Healing
Sandpaintings
Navajo Starlore and String Games
 Seven Sisters
 Milky Way
 Man with Legs Apart
 North Star
 Pinching Stars
 Orion
 Big Star
 Horned Star
 Others
Graphic Art Forms and Navajo String Games
Variation in Naming String Game Designs
Why are string figures still so popular?

 

 

'!ts4'ets'0z7
(Orion)

'!ts4'ets'0z7 (First Slim One) is the native name for Orion. The constellation is primarily associated with agriculture. The Navajos begin to plant crops when it sets at twilight in late spring (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:164). One of Griffin-Pierce’s informants said that “First Slim One, the keeper of months, makes sure that all the constellations appear in the night sky at the proper times during the year” (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:164). The stars that comprise this constellation vary according to the source consulted. The Franciscan Fathers state that '!ts4'ets'0z7 refers specifically to the three stars that form Orion’s belt and the adjacent nebula that represents his sword (Franciscan Fathers 1910:44).

 

   
   
 

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