Honeeshgish, or Fire Poker

A Navajo Legend

The Honeeshgish, or fire poker, is sacred to traditional Navajo. They believe that the Holy People blessed it and gave it to the Dinè to use in their fireplaces, their homes, and their ceremonies.

Story told by: Don Mose, Jr.
Illustrated by: Molly Trainor

Based on sketches by Don Mose, Jr.
Culture Consultant: Clayton Long & Brenda Whitehorse
Editing and layout by: Kathryn Hurst

Also see:

Ms. Coyote and Doe – A Navajo Tale

Coyote, Bobcat and the Corn

Father Sky and Mother Earth- A Navajo Legend

Owl and Woodpecker – A Navajo Tale

You can order a printed copy of the book from:

San Juan School District
Heritage Language Resource Center
28 West 200 North
Phone: 435-678-1230
FAX: 435-678-1283
Store Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Monday through Thursday
Email: rstoneman@sjsd.org

Online order at this Website: media.sjsd.org

We accept purchase orders, credit cards, and checks.
We bill only for items shipped and actual cost of shipping.
Personal orders ship after payment is received.
Please estimate 10% of purchase total for shipping cost.

Story of the Navajo Sweat Lodge

The Story of the Navajo Sweat Lodge Book

The Story of the Navajo Sweat Lodge Book

Tacheeh Baa Hane’

The Story of the Navajo Sweat Lodge Book

 

Tacheeh Baa Hane’ (Tacheeh refers to “good” or “well” or “to go into”) relates the teaching of the “Sweat Lodge.” The teaching was given to the Dine by the Holy People.

Navajo Sweat Lodge

Navajo Sweat Lodge

This bilingual (English and Navajo) book was written and illustrated by Don Mose, Jr and has 20 pages. In addition to the history and narrative, the book contains photographs of a sweat house construction.

Navajo Sweat Lodge-1

Navajo Sweat Lodge

 

Ordering Information

Paperback and spiral bound in black, sepia, white
Price $4.50 USD

San Juan School District
Heritage Language Resource Center
28 West 200 North
Phone: 435-678-1230
FAX: 435-678-1283
Store Hours: 9:00 – 4:30
Monday through Thursday
Email: rstoneman@sjsd.org

Online order at this Website: media.sjsd.org

We accept purchase orders, credit cards, and checks.
We bill only for items shipped and actual cost of shipping.
Personal orders ship after payment is received.
Please estimate 10% of purchase total for shipping cost.

More about Navajo Hogans, Homes, and Sweat Lodges

Porcupine (Dahsáni) Navajo Protector

Changing Woman gave the Hashtl’ishnii – Mud People Clan Porcupine (Dahsáni) as their symbol of protection.

Porcupine (Dahsáni) Navajo Protector

Porcupine is thought to have mystical healing powers, and used during winter ceremonies by Navajo Medicine Men. They are also an important animal for the Navajo Shoe Game.

He is also the protector of Mount Hesperus (Dibé Nitsaa) the Navajo Sacred Mountain of the north and
the Holy People that were told to live in this mountain:

Folding Darkness Boy and Girl
Black Jet Boy and Girl
Black Corn Boy and Girl and cold seasons

 

The Navajo Zoo has two resident Porcupines. One is a male, appropriately named Spike, while the other is a female named Barb. Spike was found locally as a tiny orphan in 2001 when he was small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Barb came to the Zoo in September 2008 and was also orphaned soon after birth. Both porcupines are full-grown and weigh between 25 and 30 pounds. They really enjoy apples given as treats during tours with school children.

Navajo Taboo: Do not kill porcupines or you will get nosebleeds.

The Four Navajo Sacred Mountains

Mount Blanca (Tsisnaasjini’ – Dawn or White Shell Mountain – East
Mount Taylor (Tsoodzil – Blue Bead or Turquoise Mountain) – South
San Francisco Peaks (Doko’oosliid – Abalone Shell Mountain) – West
Mount Hesperus Dibé Nitsaa (Big Mountain Sheep) – Obsidian Mountain – North

Navajo People Website Links:

Navajo Culture – Navajo History – Navajo Art – Navajo Clothing Navajo Pictures – Navajo Rugs – Navajo Language– Navajo Jewelry – Navajo Code Talker – Navajo Pottery – Navajo Legends – Hogan’s – Sand Painting – Navajo Food – Navajo News – Navajo Nation

Mount Hesperus – Navajo Sacred Mountain

Mount Hesperus Dibé Nitsaa

Big Mountain Sheep or Obsidian Mountain

Mount Hesperus - Navajo Sacred Mountain
Direction: North (Náhookos)
Color: Black (Lizhin)
Protector: Porcupine (Dahsáni)

The Holy People traveled by way of a sunbeam and a rainbow beam.

They assembled the North mountain with beautiful black jet for positive self awareness to protect us from danger and evil.
Then the Holy People fastened down the sacred mountain with a rainbow beam for peace and harmony.
These are the Holy People that were told to live in this mountain:
1. Folding Darkness Boy and Girl
2. Black Jet Boy and Girl
3. Black Jet Boy and Girl
4. Black Corn Boy and Girl and cold seasons
5. Bird symbol is black birds and corn beetle birds
6. Sacred Black Wind gave life to this mountain and Monster Slayer is the protector of this mountain
After the sun sets, darkness settles in. Mount Hesperus represents darkness. During its formation, it was adorned with the Black Jet stones and other elements.

The literal translation of Mount Hesperus from Navajo is Big Sheep.
Mount Hesperus was named after having many big horned sheep on its surface.

Mountain Song:
My child, I will feed you, give you good health, and I will give you strength and courage.
My child, I will give you clean air and clean water to drink. I am your life.
My child, get ready now and educate yourself. Improve yourself and don’t ever forget who you are.
My child, what I am dressed with, is what you are dressed with. I am your home and you mother and father.

The Four Navajo Sacred Mountains

Mount Blanca (Tsisnaasjini’ – Dawn or White Shell Mountain – East
Mount Taylor (Tsoodzil – Blue Bead or Turquoise Mountain) – South
San Francisco Peaks (Doko’oosliid – Abalone Shell Mountain) – West
Mount Hesperus Dibé Nitsaa (Big Mountain Sheep) – Obsidian Mountain – North

Navajo People Website Links:

Navajo Culture – Navajo History – Navajo Art – Navajo Clothing Navajo Pictures – Navajo Rugs – Navajo Language– Navajo Jewelry – Navajo Code Talker – Navajo Pottery – Navajo Legends – Hogan’s – Sand Painting – Navajo Food – Navajo News – Navajo Nation