"Navajoland is the heart and soul of the American Southwest. Today the Navajo Reservation incorporates portions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, but it is only about half the size of the traditional homeland of the Dine, the People. Nearly all of it is sacred. Before Spaniards and Americans affixed their own names to the land, every topographic feature had at least one Navajo name, many of which made their way onto maps or are still in use among Navajo speakers." "Navajo Places is an ambitious effort to preserve this rich legacy. It is a place-name guide that goes beyond reservation boundaries to include the entirety of the traditional Navajo homeland. Based on years of research and consultation with Navajo authorities, Navajo Places contains over 1,200 entries plus a pronunciation guide and sections on history and the relation of ritual and sacred legend to landscape, making it a must-have for anyone living or traveling in the Four Corners. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 305-316) and index.

1.. Introduction Physiography The People Before the Navajos: 10,000 B.C.-A.D. 1600 The Navajos: Pre-1600 to Present The Archaeological/Historical Perspective The Traditional Navajo Perspective Intrusion of the Spaniards: A.D. 1541-1821 Explorations Colonization The Wars The Mexicans: 1821-1846 The Americans: 1846-Present The Early Years The Navajos Capitulate The Long Walk The Reservation Years: 1868-Present Navajo Social Organization Political Organization

2.. The Role of Mythology in Navajo Place Name Origins The Practice The Ceremonies Holyway Ceremonies Shooting Chant Mountain Chant God Impersonators Wind Chant Hand-Trembling Chant Eagle Trapping Uncertain Affiliation Evilway Ceremonies Lifeway Ceremonies Ceremonialism and Navajo Place Names 3.. The Trading Posts 4.. Arizona Locations 5.. Colorado Locations 6.. New Mexico Locations 7.. Utah Locations.