Navajo People (Diné)
Location
Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah)
Population
Approximately 300,000 (one of the largest Native American groups in North America)
Self-Designation
Diné = "The People"
Miao Symbols and Flag
Navajo Nation Flag (established in 1968)
・Triangular design representing the four sacred mountains
・Sand-painting-style central symbols including cattle, oil rigs, and crops
・Outline of the Navajo Nation territory on a U.S. map
・Other Sacred Symbols
Rainbow, eagle feathers, and the Hogan (traditional dwelling)
Language
Language: Navajo Language
・Language Family：Athabaskan branch (Na-Dené family)
・Features：
・Strong syllabic structure and rich affixation (especially in verbs)
・Presence of glottalized consonants and nasal vowels
・Polysynthetic verb structure incorporating subject, object, tense, etc.
・Current Status：
・Facing decline among younger generations, but revitalization efforts are ongoing through education and media
Common Greetings and Expressions (in Navajo)
| English | Navajo Language (Hunan Dialect Example) | Pronunciation |
| Hello | Yáʼátʼééh | Yaa-aht-teh |
|---|---|---|
| How are you? | Nizhónígo shí? | Nee-zho-nee-go shí? |
| Thank you | Ahéheeʼ | Ah-heh-heh |
| Good night | Yáʼátʼééh hiiłchiʼígíí | Yaa-aht-teh heehl-chʼee-ee-gee |
| Beautiful/Harmony | Hózhǫ́ | Hoh-zho |
Notes
・Ntxoov zoo can mean both "hello" and "how are you?"
・Regional variations are common in Miao language expressions.
Region
Continent: Oceania
Region:Primarily in southern China (Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan), and spread to Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
Access Guide
Navajo Nation
| Departure City | Direct/Transit | Arrival Airport | Flight Time (approx.) | Reference Fare (one-way/round-trip, Economy) |
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles→Phoenix→car | Phoenix | 1.5h + 4h drive | US$100–US$300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | New York→Phoenix→car | Phoenix | 5.5h + 4h drive | US$200–US$400 |
| London | London→Phoenix→car | Phoenix | 11h + 4h drive | £500–£1,200 |
| Tokyo | Tokyo→Los Angeles→Phoenix→car | Phoenix Sky Harbor | 14–16h + 4h drive | ¥90,000–¥180,000 |
| Sydney | ydney→Los Angeles→Phoenix→car | Phoenix | 17–19h + 4h drive | A$900–A$1,600 |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong→Los Angeles→Phoenix→car | Phoenix | 17h + 4h drive | HK$5,000–HK$9,000 |
| Shanghai | Singapore→Los Angeles→Phoenix→car | Phoenix | 18h + 4h drive | S$1,100–S$2,200 |
・Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main gateway to Navajo Nation (e.g., Window Rock, Chinle).
・Car rental or tours are recommended from Phoenix (approx. 3–4h drive).
・All times and prices are estimates as of June 2025.
Origin and Writing of Navajo Language
Writing Systems
・Script Used: Latin alphabet (English letters with added diacritics)
・Distinctive Features:
・Apostrophes (ʼ) indicate glottal stops
・Accents (´) and nasal letters (ł, ą, etc.) are used
・Examples::"Yáʼátʼééh" (Hello), "Hózhǫ́" (Harmony, beauty, peace)
Language Origins and Historical Background
Navajo is part of the Athabaskan language group, originally from Alaska and western Canada
Migrated southward after 1000 CE, settling in the American Southwest
Adopted agriculture from the Pueblo peoples while maintaining warrior and semi-nomadic traditions
Traditional Games of the Navajo People
1.Archery Practice
Aiming games with ritual importance and warrior training elements
2.Hogan Building Play
Children construct miniature hogans from mud and wood
3.Shoe Tossing & Stone Throwing
Competitions based on distance and foot skill
4.Navajo Checkers (Tsiiʼł)
A traditional strategy game using boards and stones
5.Dance & Chant Games
Group activities involving rhythm, movement, and singing
Introduction video
Notes
The Navajo played a crucial role in WWII as Code Talkers using their language for secure communications
Cultural and linguistic revitalization continues through institutions like Diné College