Haircut Ceremony

Due to many events that have taken place in my life recently including the loss of very meaningful people in my life including my grandfather, it is expected that I have a 2nd coming of age ceremony. My first coming of age ceremony started when I was 15 but took place when I was 17 and was not only a ceremony to help me transition into adulthood but was also to acknowledge my introduction into membership within the Diné community under the bilagáana clan.

Although the growth of my hair is a visual representation of who I have become thus far and is a meaningful expression of my commitment to the culture and heritage of the Diné and their acceptance of me into their family, it would not be hozho of me to not go through with the haircut ceremony.

I am providing my understanding of this ceremony and am seeking the wisdom and guidance of my elders as to their expectations, their requirements of me, specific ceremonial needs, and who shall be permitted to take part in the ceremony

• Name: Navajo haircut ceremony

• Date: Usually performed on the first day of a new year, but can also be performed at other times, such as when a child reaches a certain age or when a family experiences a major life event.

• Location: The ceremony is usually held in the home of the person's family.

• Participants: The person, the parents, grandparents, other family members, and a medicine man or woman.

• Purpose: The ceremony is a way to cleanse the child and prepare them for a new year. It is also a way to give thanks to the Creator for one's life.

• Procedure: The medicine man or woman begins by smudging the person with sage smoke. They then cut the hair in four sections, representing the four directions. The hair is then placed in a bag and buried in the ground. The ceremony ends with a feast and a celebration.

• Significance: The Navajo haircut ceremony is an important rite of passage for the Diné. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in a person's life and helps them to connect with their culture and heritage.

Here are some details I know about the ceremony:

• The hair is cut in four sections because the Navajo believe that there are four directions: east, west, north, and south. Each direction is associated with a different element: air, fire, water, and earth.

• The hair is placed in a bag and buried in the ground because the Navajo believe that the earth will absorb the old energy and help them to grow strong and healthy in their new beginnings.

• The ceremony ends with a feast and a celebration because it is a time for the family to come together and rejoice in a person's new beginning.

The Navajo haircut ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful tradition that has been passed down for generations. It is a way for the Diné to celebrate the life of a new child and to welcome them into their community as well as to mark new turning points in one's life.

My Navajo Name, what it means, and how can I live up to this name?

The Navajo word for "lightning" is atsiniltsoh, and the word for "brain" is hatsiighaa. So, the literal translation of "one with lightning in brain" in Navajo would be atsiniltsoh hatsiighaa'í. However, this is not a common phrase in Navajo. A more idiomatic way to say this would be atsosil bii'áanii, which means "one who has a powerful mind" or "one who is wise." The Navajo people have a rich tradition of oral storytelling, and lightning is often seen as a symbol of power and wisdom. In some stories, lightning is said to be the breath of the gods, and it is believed that those who are struck by lightning are blessed with special powers. So, while there is no direct translation of "one with lightning in brain" in Navajo, the phrase atsosil bii'áanii is a more accurate way to express the idea of someone who is intelligent and wise. Although I do not wish to cut my hair for many reasons including the fact that it physically represents my relationship to my Navajo family and my place in the Dine, is it not wise to follow the traditions taught to me by the elders?