The Navajo: An Ancient Gift

The desert of Northern Arizona is stark, yet beautiful, like the Navajo people who call the land their home. Beginning with narration of Navajo creation legends set against visuals of a desert sunrise, this video offers a basic introduction to Navajo history, cultural traditions, and spiritual beliefs. Viewers will see the preparation and weaving of a wool rug (a Navajo mainstay), including a potentially unsettling (for the more sensitive or younger viewer) slaughter and bloody skinning of a sheep. Although the information presented is good, the video is impersonal and the visual imagery is reminiscent of old film stock. A better choice here would be Indians of North America (VL-1/94). A second title in this series, The Hopi: Corn is Life, is also available. An optional purchase. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)