The Moccasin Game – A Navajo Legend

The Shoe or Moccasin gameThe Moccasin Game Book and CD

October (Ghaaji) marks the time for shoe games.

The Shoe or Moccasin game is part of Navajo curing ceremonies.
The games are used to teach the young people endurance and self respect.
All Navajo games have a special meaning that is told in a story.

“In the beginning, the Earth was not divided into day and night as it is today. The Daytime Animals and the Nighttime Animals could not agree about how the Earth would be organized. Of course, the Daytime Animals wanted to have daylight all the time, but the Nighttime Animals wanted the world to remain dark. The Giant taught the animals to play the Moccasin Game, and he used the game to decide how days and nights would be organized.”

The Shoe or Moccasin game

Read the book in both English and Navajo to learn the rest of the story!

This hard-cover, perfect-bound book is based upon a traditional story, as told by Done Mose, Jr. This bilingual book is elegantly illustrated by renowned Navajo artist, Baje Whitethorne and edited by Katherine Hurst. The book also includes a CD with the Moccasin Game songs sung by Jim Dandy, Sr. and Monument Valley High School students.

Cultural Awareness: this book and the Moccasin Game songs can be read, sung and enjoyed during the winter months, October through February. Please be respectful and let the story “rest” during the remainder of the seasonal cycle. Thank you!

Comes with a CD with 9 songs sung in The Navajo language.
Nahashch idi (Badger)
Jadi (Antelope)
Galbahi (Cottontail Rabbit)
Ashiike (Young Boys)
Ch indeelidii (Crow)
Nashdoi (Lion)
Ne ashjaa (Owl)
Tazhii (Turkey)
Hayiilka (Daybreak)

 

Ordering Information

$20.00 USD With Audio CD

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

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