Seasons of a Navajo

In reading about Anthropology, one learns about the negative effects of rapidly accelerating globalization on the cultures of the world. Because globalization changes human relations and ideas, traditional cultures erode. In watching the film, Seasons of a Navajo, I was impressed by the Navajo's strong ties to tradition. The Navajos have been able to remain in tune with their mother, Earth, keep tradition and family an important part of their culture, and use the technology of the changing world to enhance their traditions rather than erode them showing that it is possible for traditional cultures to remain intact even with widespread and radical change.

The Navajos have been able to remain in tune with their mother, Earth, despite globalization. The Navajos believe that if one wishes to be respected they must be healthy and do tasks well and the tasks that are done involve living and caring for the Earth. In Seasons of a Navajo, the importance of taking care of the Earth is shown as the Navajo take care of their animals that provide them with security, as the Navajo plant and harvest corn to ensure that the Earth continues to sustain life, and as the Navajo chant an offering to the Earth, Wind, and Water inside the sweathouse. They are devoted to the Earth, Wind, and Water because they sustain all things; therefore it is important that we sustain it. Whereas many cultures were ignorant in their treatment of the Earth, the Navajo have been able to stick to their tradition of loving and caring for the Earth.

Not only have the Navajos been able to maintain their kinship with the Earth, but they have also been able to maintain their kinship with each other. Ties to family and tradition are strong among the Navajo. In a Navajo family, everyone helps out everyone else. The grandparents tend to live alone, the parents work but help the grandparents whenever they can, and the children go to school but help whenever they are not in school. The Navajo, unlike the people in many other cultures, put their family before themselves. Everything that is done is for the good of the family, making their kinship with each other strong enough to withstand any changes globalization brings their way.

Finally, new technologies have not changed the Navajo's traditions but have made it easier for them to maintain their unique culture. For instance, the tractor has made the task of planting corn much easier for the Navajos. Corn is by far the most important crop of the Navajos. It is used in many important rituals and ceremonies and is a symbol of fertility, harmony, beauty, and the Earth's productivity. The tractor allows the Navajos to continue important aspects of their culture.

Even with widespread and radical change, the culture of the Navajos remains strong and intact. The Navajos continue to love and care for the Earth. The Navajos continue to prioritize family before themselves. And, the Navajos continue their traditions despite new technology that globalization brings their way. The Navajo Indians of the southwestern United States are a strong impressive culture. Many cultures crumble under the pressure of globalization to create "cookie-cutter" people that come out of the "oven" all the same.

Sources:
No author. Seasons of a Navajo