Navaho

Hans was told that the Cherokee had visitors by a tribe from the western plains. They had been there for several days already. The chiefs of the two tribes were having conversations all day long. They were surely discussing important matters, and Hans suspected that they was a specific issue. The Cherokees were important allied for the Asir tribe. Hans had to ensure that it stayed that way. He thought it was inappropriate, but finally decided to pay them a visit, even though uninvited. He had to be present at meetings that concern their future relations.

He arrived in a wagon pulled by a horse. In the wagon there were several items he thought would come handy, like food, drink and tools. It was custom for the chief to welcome another friendly chief. Hans were especially polite and asked who the other visitor was. The chief told that it was the chief of a nomadic Navajo tribe. He ensured that he was friendly, but also that he was curious about the Asir tribe. Hans asked politely if the chief would introduce him, and so he did.

They sat by a campfire. It was an informal atmosphere. The Navajo chief seemed to be more relaxed by the hours. When Hans brought food and beverage the attitudes became very friendly. The main dishes were of fish delicacies, which the Asirs were most costumed to make. The Navajos, as a nomadic plain tribe, was not that experienced with fish. In fact, they did not favor it much. However, there were some excellent cooks in Hans’ tribe that contributed with exotic and delicious flavors. The Navajo asked several times; is this fish? Hans also served dried fish that he knew was not very tasty. However, he stressed the importance of bringing it on long travels, when food supplies are short, and meat will rot. The Navajo chief got the point; this dry fish could be important nutritious supplement on their journeys.

Hans gained the Navajo chief’s trust. There was obviously something on his mind that troubled him. He finally asked via the Cherokee chief; do you know Quetzalcoatl? Hans was puzzled. He knew that Thorleif was called that in Tula and that it was the main Toltec god. How did a nomadic tribe of the plains know about this, he wondered. Hans started out cautious and diplomatic, pointed to his ear; and said; I have heard of him. The chief understood, but it was not really what he wanted to know. Have you seen him, he asked by pointing to his eyes. Hans figured that this must have been the topics between the chiefs before he came. He had all to gain on honesty, he thought. Yes and no, he answered. That was a confusing answer, but showed that Hans knew about the rumor and that he did not claim to be an associate to a foreign god.

They changed the subject. The Navajo talked about his travels and all the people he meet. He was especially influenced by the Apache Indians of the plains. He spoke a lot about them and how great they are. He also talked about his friends the Pueblo Indians that lived in the south west. They were great craftsmen. The Navajo waited a while until he said. They have also relations to the Toltec Indians by the gulf. He said; one day Quetzalcoatl came from the north. He was tall; light skinned and had long hair and beard. He looked at Hans and said; he looked just like you. He looked down again and said that soon the great Mayan empire fell; he ruled the Toltec and made a great city of warriors. We feared the Mayan, now we fear the Toltec even more. The Navaho asked; is Quetzalcoatl like you? Hans thought he had made a good impression and said yes. The Navajo chief was pleased. They did not talk about that issue more that evening, but rather had a pleasant evening as good friends. However, they did talk general of belief systems.

The Cherokee chief told that most Native Americans believe that in an Almighty, that is a spiritual force that is the source of all life. The belief is not pictured as a man in the sky, but is believed to be formless. The sun is viewed as the power of the Almighty.  They do not worship the sun, but pray to the Almighty. The sun is a sign and symbol for that. They show less interest in an afterlife. They assume the souls of the dead go to another part of the universe where they have a new existence carrying on everyday activities like they were still alive. They are just in a different world. Hans thought a lot about that belief. Maybe they were partially right. Maybe there was some truth in most religions.

The Navajo nomadic tribe was about to leave the next morning. Hans looked at their properties and saw that they had sheep, goats, and cattle. But they had no effective way to bring things like pottery, rugs, and tents in. It was then Hans decided to give away his horse and wagon. As a nomadic tribe, they needed it more than them, he thought. The chief did not believe it at first. Then he did not figure out how to thank Hans enough for the gift. He gathered the whole tribe. They started singing, praying and dancing. When Hans thought it was over, they started a new ritual even more extensive and advanced. This lasted the whole day through. You can see they are very thankful for the gift, the Cherokee chief said to Hans. Their gratitude was a bit too much, he thought. But he was happy that they became such good friends.