ESTABLISHING BELIEFS

Birth and Early Years

THE TWINS: PREPARING FOR LIFE

In the palm of time following the emergence of the Holy People from the worlds beneath, the gods roamed the earth, making laws and creating things helpful for the future. They formed two women—one from turquoise the other from white shell, Changing Woman (Asdz[??][??]n nádleehé) and White Shell Woman (Yoolgai asdz[??]án)—who grew in miraculous ways, one day equaling a year of human life. Before long they were mature females who conceived through the supernatural means of sunlight and water, producing two boys. The newborns were foreordained to "take care of the ruination on the earth and to kill all of the monsters after which peace would be restored." These children, like their mothers, grew rapidly so that in four days they were twelve years old and ready for instruction. Talking God (Haashch'éélti'i) and Water Sprinkler God (Tó Neinilii) invited them to a long race, but by the time it was half completed the Holy People were running behind the boys, scourging them with mountain mahogany branches, urging them to move faster. Talking God won the race, promising to return in four days to give the boys another opportunity to compete.

The lads were sore, tired, and discouraged, wondering how they could ever triumph against the powers of Talking God and Water Sprinkler. The Holy Wind (Nil'chi), which had been placed on their ear folds, learned of their concern and told them that if they practiced, they could beat the older men, because youth was on their side. For four days the boys trained hard, maturing into strong young competitors. When the race started, the confident runners began passing the two deities so that by the time the race around a mountain was half completed, the roles had reversed and the boys were behind the gods, scourging their backs and encouraging them onward. The oldest of the twins won. The gods were highly pleased at the progress the two boys had made, laughing and clapping their hands in praise of their success.

SAMUEL: ESTABLISHING PATTERNS

My name is Samuel Tom Holiday, and I am of the Tódich'inii (Bitter Water) Clan, born for the Bit'ahnii (Folded Arm) as my paternal clan. My maternal grandparents are Tsi'naajinii (Black Streaked Wood People), and my paternal grandparents are Tliziláni (Many Goats Clan). I did not know my paternal grandmother and grandfather very well because they lived in Denehotso, or Reed Valley, at a place called Lók'aa'haagai (White Patch of Reeds). It seemed very far away because we had to walk or ride our horses or travel by wagon. That was the only way we could get there.

I was born around June 2, 1924, an approximate date, since in those days dates were determined by the time of year, the season, or a memorable event. The site is five miles east of present-day Gouldings, Utah, just south of Eagle Rock and Eagle Mesa in Monument Valley. One day my mother, Betsy Yellow, whose Navajo name was 'Asdzáán Tódích'íí'nii (Bitter Water Woman), and I were driving to Blanding when she pointed out my birthplace near Eagle Rock among the juniper trees at a place called 'Adahiilíní (Where the Water Runs Down). Mother pointed to some old logs sticking out of the ground, remnants of the shade house where I was born. My umbilical cord is buried within that area and so my thoughts return to home.

My Navajo name as a child was Awéé' zhóní (Beautiful Baby), and later, when I was about thirteen years old, my older brother Henry gave me the name Samuel. While I have either seven or eight brothers and sisters, I only lived with my mother, sister (Emma Nash) who is about four years older than me, and my little brother, Joe Holiday. I did not really remember my biological father, a medicine man whose name was Billy Holiday, until I met him later in life.

My story is true and starts when I began noticing and remembering things about my daily life and surroundings. I recall my mother praying early in the morning to the dawn where the new, good things of life come from. We prayed to the Holy Ones, who provide all the elements of life like the heat from the sun, the sacred water, and air. The Holy People gave all of this to those who live on the earth. Water is the most sacred and strongest element. The earth was made holy by covering it with water from the ocean. If it had not received this baptism, it would have dried up and died. The earth had been on fire when the Holy People took water from a sacred place and put it on the land so that plants could start growing. The plants grew from their seeds and then animals and insects were made with water and finally people. Water is everything. In the past the Navajos practiced a ceremony called Tó'ee (Of the Water) because water is sacred. Now there are few who know it. God worked with all this and he put a soul or spirit that is holy into it all. When we pray we pray for the spirit and that is why we pray for all things, even the sheep and land. Mother used to say that everything has a soul and is alive because of water.

She would awaken the children before sunrise and give us white cornmeal to offer during our prayers. Then we faced east before the sun came up, pleading for good things to happen, to obtain material blessings, and enjoy safe and productive lives. Other things we prayed for were that the plants would grow, the sheep would be well cared for and increase, that the rain would bring water to drink, and the grazing land would turn green for all our animals. That is how we prayed. I did not like being awakened that early, especially when it was cold, but Mother always said, "You will be healthy and strong if you get up very early in the morning." At first, I just copied her, but later I realized that my prayers for rain and blessings would come true if I was sincere.

Next my older sister did her running. Mother suggested that I also do it and so later I followed my sister but did not travel as far as she did, turning around about half way. When I was older, mother awakened us early in the morning, pulled off my sleeping blanket, and threatened to splash cold water on me if I refused to get up to run. My sister and I were forced to exercise, which I did not like at all, especially in cold weather. In the winter when the first snow fell, mother made us take off our clothes and roll in it. In those days the first snow fall was usually very...