Agriculture+and+the+Economy


 * Agriculture and the Economy **



From: Elias, Scott. "Navajo (Diné)." __Land Use History of North America:Colorado Plateau__. 2002. 4 May 2009 []
 * Agricultural History **

·  Originally a farming, hunting and gathering society ·   Spanish explorers in 1600’s gave sheep to the Navajo ·  By 1800’s had become dependant on livestock for their economy o  Due to herding success Navajo population tripled ·  Navajo still farmed, hunted and gathered but not as important ·  Herding caused Navajo settlement patterns to change o  Now had separate summer and winter camps based on where supplies could be found for the livestock ·  Navajo began to raid Spanish-American herds but stopped when American invaded Navajo land and took them to Fort Sumner(see Events & Leaders > The Long Walk) ·  After being away for four years(The Long Walk) the Navajo’s fields were ruined and their livestock was dead ·  Navajo rebuilt quickly and doubled population (to 18,000) between 1868-1892 ·  By 1930’s soil on Navajo land was very eroded based on overuse of land by livestock o  Led to Livestock Reduction(see Events & Leaders>Livestock Reduction) ·  Livestock and agriculture still important parts of the Navajo culture but not main part of economy

From: Iverson, Peter. //The Navajos//. New York City: Chelsea House Publishers, 1990. (Pgs 30-31)
 * Sheep in the Navajo culture **

·  By late 1700’s Navajo lifestyle based around sheep herding ·  Sheep grazed together but were owned individually o  Marked by ear tags o   Almost all women and men owned at least a few sheep ·  Parents gave lambs to children o  Caused children to learn about being part of their community as well as responsibility ·  Sheep sheared every spring by whole community ·  Used wool for weaving into blankets ·  Sheep also used as source of meat o  Given to immediate family as well as shared with other tribe members o   Having extra meat to share showed skill in taking care of their sheep ·  Mutton and lamb eaten at religious ceremonies

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