The Dine (Navajo) Creation Story is a rich tapestry woven from oral tradition, a narrative that explains the origins of the world and the Navajo people themselves. It details a journey through multiple worlds, each distinct and imbued with its own set of challenges and transformations. This story, passed down through generations, provides not only a cosmological framework but also a moral compass, guiding the Navajo in their relationship with the earth and each other.
This narrative begins not in a void, but in a First World, a realm submerged in darkness. Within this inky expanse resided six beings, each playing a crucial role in the unfolding drama of creation. These were:
- First Man: Symbolic of the beginning, associated with the Son of Night and the Blue Sky over Sunset.
- First Woman: Complementing First Man, representing the Daughter of Day Break and the Yellow Sky of Sunset.
- Salt Woman: A figure of sustenance and life, providing essential resources.
- Fire God: Embodiment of power and transformation, capable of both creation and destruction.
- Coyote: The trickster, a figure of both cunning and chaos, often disrupting the established order.
- Begochiddy: A powerful androgynous deity, possessing both male and female aspects, with blue eyes and golden hair, acting as a principal creator.
In this First World, Begochiddy initiated the creative process. Where previously there was only darkness, Begochiddy brought forth vegetation, establishing the foundation for life. Mountains were then formed, each aligned with a cardinal direction and imbued with a specific color: white to the east, blue to the south, yellow to the west, and black to the north. These mountains served as both physical landmarks and symbolic representations of the cosmos. Insects and ants were also created, filling the ecological niches of this emerging world.
However, the nascent harmony of the First World was soon disrupted. Fire God, consumed by jealousy, unleashed his destructive power, incinerating the creations of Begochiddy. To protect what had been made, Begochiddy instructed First Man to gather everything, leading them to a red mountain at the earth’s center. There, Begochiddy devised a means of escape and progression: the Big Reed.
This giant, hollow reed became the vessel for their ascent to the Second World. They all entered, and it grew ever upward, piercing through the veil separating the worlds. The Second World was bathed in a blue light, a stark contrast to the darkness of the first. Begochiddy once again set about creating plants, clouds, and mountains, shaping the landscape of this new realm.
The Second World was already inhabited by the Swallow People and Cat People. For a time, peace and happiness prevailed. However, as in the First World, discord soon arose. To escape the growing turmoil, Begochiddy planted the Big Reed once more. The inhabitants climbed inside, and it ascended to the Third World, a realm illuminated by a yellow light emanating from the mountains themselves, as there was no moon or stars.
In the Third World, Begochiddy continued the work of creation, fashioning rivers, water animals, trees, birds, and lightning. This world marked a significant step in the development of life, with the creation of various types of human beings. Initially, all spoke the same language, and harmony reigned.
However, this utopian existence was shattered by the appearance of red streaks across the sky, omens of disease and suffering brought about by evil magic. These were attributed to First Man, introducing a darker aspect to the creative process.
As time passed, the initial harmony of the Third World eroded. Coyote, ever observant, brought word to Begochiddy of the growing discontent and the strife between men and women. In response, Begochiddy separated them by a river. While initially effective, the separation proved unsustainable, as they soon missed each other. Begochiddy allowed them to reunite but warned that further conflict would result in a catastrophic flood that would destroy the Third World.
Despite this warning, the seeds of destruction had already been sown. Coyote, driven by his insatiable curiosity, overheard Salt Woman mention a baby with long black hair in the river. Seizing the opportunity for mischief, Coyote secretly took the baby and hid it.
Four days later, a black storm erupted from the east, accompanied by a deafening noise. This was followed by a yellow storm from the west and a white storm from the north. The prophesied flood had begun. Begochiddy, recognizing the imminent danger, gathered all that had been created, including the human beings, and planted the Big Reed once again. As the waters rose, they sought refuge within its hollow stem, hoping to ascend to safety.
However, this time, the Big Reed faltered. It stopped growing before reaching the Fourth World. Desperate, the Spider People attempted to spin a web to bridge the gap, but their efforts proved futile. The Ant People tried to dig into the Fourth World, but its surface was too hard. Finally, the Locust, with its hard head, broke through, creating a passage to the Fourth World.
Upon emerging into the Fourth World, they found themselves surrounded by water. Begochiddy saw Four Great Powers and waved to them, signaling their plight. In response, the waters began to recede. Begochiddy sent the Badger to explore the newly exposed land and determine if it was dry enough to inhabit. As the Badger walked, its feet became stained black with mud, giving it its characteristic black feet.
Begochiddy recognized the need to dry out the Fourth World. The winds, cyclones, and dust devils were summoned, swirling around and around, absorbing the remaining moisture. As the land dried, all the created things and people followed the Badger into the Fourth World.
Looking back at the receding waters of the Third World, Begochiddy pondered what had angered the Water Monster. Coyote, trying to conceal his transgression, tightened his blanket around him. Begochiddy immediately knew that Coyote was responsible for the flood. Coyote was instructed to return the baby to the Water Monster to appease it and stop the deluge.
With the cause of the flood addressed, Begochiddy turned to the task of preparing the Fourth World. Everything was carefully placed in order: the mountains, the plants, the animals. The Sun, Moon, and Stars were placed in the sky, providing light and guidance. Fire God, reluctant to share his power, attempted to keep the fire to himself. However, Coyote, in a moment of benevolent trickery, stole some of it and gave it to the people, providing them with warmth and the means to cook. Begochiddy then gave the people different languages and scattered them around the world. The people also learned from Begochiddy the right way to live, give thanks, and care for the fruits of the Earth.
It was at this time that Changing Woman came to be. She became a benevolent figure, helping the people and destroying monsters that threatened their well-being. She represents the cyclical nature of life and the renewal of the earth.
Thus, the Fourth World came to be, the world that the Navajo people currently inhabit. However, the Dine (Navajo) Creation Story carries a crucial warning: just as the previous worlds were destroyed by disharmony and wrongdoing, so too will this world be destroyed if people do not live a proper life, respecting the balance of nature and living in accordance with the teachings of Begochiddy and Changing Woman. This belief, central to Navajo culture, continues to guide their actions and shape their worldview to this day. The Dine (Navajo) Creation Story is not just a tale of origins, but a living guide for the present.