The Navajo witch prosecution of 1878 refers to a significant event in Navajo history where several members of the Navajo tribe were accused and convicted of witchcraft. This prosecution was a result of growing tensions between the Navajo people and the American government, as well as the influence of Christian missionaries on the Navajo culture. The accusations of witchcraft were primarily driven by the Navajo people's resistance to assimilation and their desire to maintain their traditional spiritual practices. The American government, in an effort to assert control and enforce Christianity among the Navajo population, used the accusation of witchcraft as a means to suppress Navajo spirituality and cultural autonomy. The witch prosecution of 1878 was marked by a series of trials and hearings, where Navajo individuals were accused of performing witchcraft and causing harm to others. The trials were conducted by a combination of government officials, Christian missionaries, and Navajo leaders who had converted to Christianity.
The trials were conducted by a combination of government officials, Christian missionaries, and Navajo leaders who had converted to Christianity. The accused were often subjected to intense cross-examination and forced to renounce their traditional beliefs. The main idea that emerges from this event is the clash between Navajo spirituality and the influence of the American government and Christianity.
Long lived tree curse
Once you had garden of Eden,
Now you have this. Vegas.
A playpen in the desert. Bliss.
Here, 5,000 years of Civilization
Can be experienced in an instant.
Have a nice day. Enjoy.
For in a flash it could all be over.
Kings, emperors, deities
Craven images cast in plaster, neon lit.
Look on my works,
Ye mighty, and despair.
The smell of money in the air
A tawdry son-et-lumière
(A one-way street going nowhere.)
Your immortals are mortal, they were once flesh and blood.
Escape the delusion, the noise and pollution,
The true immortals are made out of wood.
They call us Bristlecone Pines.
They call me Methuselah.
Methuselah, Methuselah, this human
christens me, for he has counted
The candles on my cake. 4,600.
Am celebrity now and no mistake.
Am named. Am given voice.
The years, like necklaces bestow
a wisdom, humankind can never know.
Millennia, they come and go.
Have no eyes, but have seen it all
Ancient civilizations that you can
Only read about, Methuselah has sensed.
Am not part of history. No,
History is parts of me.
Unlike words, tree-rings never lie.
One year was freezing cold and dark
The sun was hidden in the sky
I tasted brimstone and it left its mark
Like a noose tightening, like a charred wreath.
What is this thing, I thought, called death?
You can read me like a book
Open me up and take a look:
History laid bare, a garland here
a crown there. Plain as a pikestaff
for all to see. Each year jotted down by me.
The state of the nation, an annual report
in ever decreasing circles. The wheels
of fortune, the cycles of despair.
If I had lungs I would be coughing
A throat, I would be parched
If I had eyes they would be stinging
Flesh, it would be scorched.
Sulfur, smoke and cinders
enfold me like a shroud
There is no silver lining
only poison in this cloud.
Water, water everywhere and not a drop.
To think that down there, battery trees
Like plumped up turkeys stand proud and vain.
Bloated and unaware that they are but a switch's
throw away from death.
Water, water not forever.
For twenty-four hours a day, fountains play,
Spraying graffiti that mocks a desert kept at bay.
But nature has a way of saying "Enough."
After the pride there comes the fall
After the boom, the bust.
Remember man that thou art dust,
And unto dust.
Men drop to the earth like leaves
Lives as brief as footprints in snow.
Bristlecones enthroned on top of the world
Watch civilizations come and go.
They seek our secret, immortality,
But search in vain, for it is vanity.
If truth be known I would rather
be a flower, or a leaf that lives
and breathes with brief intensity.
My life is as thin as the wind
And I am done with counting stars.
On the side of this mountain
I might live forever,
Could you imagine anything worse?
My name is Methuselah and this is my curse.
| Roger McGough is one of Britain's most celebrated poets. The author of more than 50 books of poetry, McGough is a regular contributor on BBC Radio's "Poetry Please" and the World Service. McGough won a Tony award for his lyrics in the Broadway production of The Wind in the Willows and was nominated for an Emmy for his lyrics in the film version of The Wind in the Willows. He co-authored the script for the 1968 movie Yellow Submarine. McGough received the Order of the British Empire in 1997. He lives in London. |
The Navajo people's resistance to assimilation and their desire to maintain their cultural autonomy led to accusations of witchcraft, which were used as a tool to suppress their traditional spiritual practices. The Navajo witch prosecution of 1878 serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by indigenous communities in preserving their cultural heritage in the face of external influences..
Reviews for "The Navajo Witch Hunts: A Comparative Study with European Witch Trials"
1. John Smith - 2 out of 5 stars - The Navajo witch prosecution of 1878 was a disappointing read for me. While I appreciate the historical importance of the event, I found the book to be poorly written and confusing. The author seemed to jump back and forth between different perspectives and time periods without providing a clear narrative. Additionally, there was a lack of depth and analysis in the storytelling, leaving me wanting more information and context. Overall, I believe there are better books out there on this topic that are more engaging and informative.
2. Sarah Johnson - 1 out of 5 stars - I cannot recommend the Navajo witch prosecution of 1878 to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The book lacked in-depth research and relied heavily on speculation rather than concrete evidence. I found myself questioning the accuracy and reliability of the information presented throughout. Furthermore, the writing style was dry and lacked the ability to hold my interest. I would suggest seeking out other sources if you're truly interested in learning about this topic.
3. Michael Thompson - 3 out of 5 stars - As someone who enjoys diving into historical events, I had high hopes for the Navajo witch prosecution of 1878. Unfortunately, I felt let down by the lack of in-depth analysis and critical examination of the cultural and social context surrounding the event. While the book did provide a basic overview of the witch prosecution, it failed to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying factors at play. The writing style was also quite dry, making it a bit challenging to stay engaged throughout. Overall, it was an average read but not one that I would highly recommend.