Cyber Way

Author’s Note

While the spelling Navajo is most common in the Southwest, Navaho is also used. I have used the latter, since the correct pronunciation is “Nah-vah-hoh” not “Nah-vah-joe.”

Sandpainting is often referred to as “drypainting.” The former is a more literal description of this unique Native American artform. For readers who would like to view excellent samplings of sandpainting both modern and traditional accompanied by nontechnical text, the following slim volumes are recommended:

Reichard, Gladys, Navajo Medicine Man Sand Paintings. New York, Dover Publications, 1977.

Joe, Eugene Baatsoslanii (with Mark Bahti), Navajo Sandpainting Art. Tucson, Ariz., Treasure Chest Publications, 1978.

McCoy, Ronald, “Summoning the Gods.” Plateau magazine of the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Ariz., Vol. 59.

The Navaho phrase “doo ahashyaa da” means “I am stupid.”