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---- Tuesday - February 9, 2010 - 6:27:36 AM - Navajo Nation Time ----

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Diné Clans

When a Navajo baby is born, he or she belongs to the clan of the mother. The clan name passes on through her to her children. When a young man marries, it must be to someone completely outside of his clan. This way, the blood would be strong and produce healthy offsprings. Even though people in his clan are not all blood-related, it is considered inappropriate to marry within one's own clan. This rule is strictly observed. Should it occur, it would be considered as "incest" to the Navajo people.

An important Navajo custom is to introduce one's maternal and paternal clans on both sides of his family when meeting another Navajo or introducing yourself to the Navajo public for the first time. In the Navajo way, this is how Navajos know where you came from. Navajo children are "born to" the mother's clan and take her clan name, and are "born for" the father's clan. Therefore, Navajos precisely know who they are through identification by their mother's, father's, maternal grandfather's and paternal grandfather's clans. For example, Harrison Lapahie Jr.'s Navajo lineage is "Bit'ahnii Tachii'nii", with the mother's clan listed first. Bít'ahnii (Folded Arms People) from his mother's (Lillie Todychini) side, born for the Tachii'nii (Red Running into the Water Clan) from his father's (Harrison Lapahie) side. The Todích'íi'nii (Bitter Water Clan) are his maternal grandfather, and the Ta'néézahnii (The Badlands People) are his paternal grandfather's clan from their moms.

In the Navajo way, two Navajos of the same clan, meeting for the first time, will refer to each other as "brother" or "sister". Navajos that are cousins to each other in the American sense, think of each other as "brother" or "sister" in the Navajo sense. Father's and mother's cousins in the American way are thought of as aunts and uncles in the Navajo way. Grandparent's brothers and sisters in the American way are thought of as grandma's and grandpa's in the Navajo way. Harrison Lapahie Jr. has many brothers, sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Grandmas, and Grandpas, in the Navajo way, that are his Cousins, his father's and mother's cousins, and his grandparent's brothers and sisters in the American way.

When a Navajo is in strange surroundings, it is not uncommon for his relatives (in the Navajo way) or his clan members, to have the responsibility for his housing, food, and welfare, while this individual is in the immediate area.

A Navajo through his own clan (his mom's clan) and the clan groups to which his father as well as his spouse belong, has a great potential for personal contacts. This complex network of inter-relationships served in the past to fuse the scattered bands of Navajos and other American Indians together as a Navajo Tribe.

 
List of Diné Clan Names

Navajo Clan

English Meaning
Ats’osi Dine’é 1 Feather People
Ashiihi Salt Clan
Ashiinii (extinct) Salt People
Azee’tsoh Dine’é Big Medicine People
Beiyóodzíne’ Dine’é 34 Paiute People
Bííh Dine’é Deer People
Bííh Dine’é Táchii’nii Deer People of Táchii’nii
B88h Bítoo’nii Deer Spring Clan
Biihtsoh Dine’é Big Deer People
B99hyázhí Dine’é Little Deer People
Bít’ahnii Folded Arms People
Bit’aanii 2 (extinct) Talks-In-Blanket Clan 3
Chíshí Chiricahua Apache
Deeshchii’nii Start-Of-The-Red-Streaked People
Dibé {izhiní Black Sheep - San Felipe Clan
Dichin Dine’é Hunger People
Di[zéehi Mohave Clan
Dólii Dine’é Blue Bird People
Dzaanééz {ání Many Mules (Burros) Clan
Dzi[ Ná’oodi[nii Turning (Encircled) Mountain People 4
Dzi[ t’aadnii 5 Near the Mountain Clan
Dzi[ t[’ahnii Mountain Cove Clan 6
Gah Dine’é Táchii’nii Rabbit People of Táchii’nii 7
Halgai Dine’é People of the Valley
Haltsooí Dine’é Meadow People
Hashk’aa hadzohí 8 Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line Clan 9
Hasht[’ishnii Mud Clan
Honágháahnii One-Walk-Around Clan 10
Hooghan {ání Many Hogans Clan
‘Iich’ah Dine’é (extinct) Moth People
Jaa’yaalóolii Dine’é Sticking-Up-Ears People
K’aa’ Dine’é 11 Arrow People
Keha’atiinii Foot-Trails People
Kin[ichíi’nii 12 Red House People - Zia Clan
Kinlitsonii Yellow House People
Kinyaa’32nii 13 Towering House People
Lók’aa’ Dine’é Reed People
Ma’iitó Coyote Spring People
Ma’iideeshgiizhinii Coyote Pass People - Jemez Clan
Naad33 Dine’é Corn People
Naakét[’ahí Flatfoot People - Pima Clan
Naa[ani Dine’é Many Commanche Warriors Clan
Naakaii Dine’é Mexican Clan
Naashashí Dine’é 14 Bear Enemies - Tewa Clan
Naashgalí Dine’é Mescalero Apache Clan
Naasht’ézhí Dine’é Zuni Clan
Naayízí Dine’é Squash People
Naayízi[tsooi Dine’é Pumpkin People
Náneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii Charcoal-Streaked Division of Táchii’nii
Nát’oh Dine’é Tobacco People
Níhoobáanii Gray-Streak-Ends Clan
Nóóda’i Dine’é Ute Clan
Nóóda’í Dine’é Táchii’nii Ute Division of Táchii’nii
Sei Bse Hooghnaii 15 Sand Hogan People
Taadiin Dine’é Corn Pollen People
Táb22hí Water's Edge Clan
Táchii’nii Red-Running-Into-The-Water Clan
Ta’néészahnii Badlands People 16
Téeatiin Trail-To-Garden People
Ti’izhi[izhíní Dine’é Black Goat People
T2zhii Dine’é Turkey People
T’iisch’ebaanii 17 Gray-Cottonwood-Extend-Out People
Tl’aashchí’í Red Cheek People 18
Tl’izi[ani Many Goats Clan
T[’ógí Weavers - Zia Clan 19
Tó’áhaní Near-To-Water Clan 20
Tó’aheedliinii 21 Water-Flows-Together Clan
To’azoli 22 Light-Water People
Tóbaazhní’ázhí Two-Who-Came-To-Water Clan
Tódích’íi’nii Bitter Water Clan
Tódík’=zhí Salt Water Clan 23
Tótsóhnii Big Water Clan
Ts’ah Yísk’ídnii Sagebrush Hill Clan
Tsédeeshgizhnii Rock Gap Clan
Tséghadínídinii Crystal Rock
Tsenahabi[nii 24 Sleep-Rock (Over-Hanging Rock) People
Tséníjíkiní Cliff Dwelling Clan 25
Tseíkeehé 26 Two-Rocks-Sit Clan
Tsetaa’aanii Rock-Extends-Into-Water People
Tseyanatohnii (extinct) Horizontal-Water-Under-Cliffs People
Tsezhindii’aai Slanted-Lava-Spire People 27
Tsi’naajínii Black-Streaked-Wood People 28
Tsín Síkaadnii Clamp Tree Clan 29
Tsin Yee Na’alo’ii Dine’é 30 Tree Stretcher People 31
Yé’ii Dine’é Giant People 32
Yoo’í Dine’é 33 Bead People

 
Origin of the Clans

First Man (Altsé Hastiin) and First Woman (Altsé Asdzaa) found a baby girl at Gobernador Knob (Ch'oolii) whom they named Changing Woman (Asdzáá Nádleehé). Changing Woman was then raised at Huerfano Mesa (Dzil Na'oodilii) to give birth to twins, Naayéé' Neezghání (Monster Slayer) and Tó Bájísh Chíní (Child Born of Water), who killed the monsters on the earth. The Sun (Jóhónaa'éí) then wanted her to come and live with him. He promised to build a beautiful home in the Western Ocean for her. In order that Changing Woman would not be lonely, some of the people (animals) decided to go with her to her new home. Changing Woman then traveled to the Western Ocean to be with her husband, the Sun (Jóhónaa'éí).

These people (animals) lived with her in the west for some time, but later they became lonely as they heard of people like themselves who still lived in their old homeland (Dinétah). Finally, they decided to return. Changing Woman though that there should be more people, so she created more of them (humans) by rubbing the skin from her breast, from her back, and from under both arms. In this way, she created the first four clans. Changing Woman rubbed the skin from her breast and formed people who became the Kinyaa'aanii 13 (Towering House Clan). From the skin rubbed from her back, the Honaghaahnii (One-Walk-Around Clan 10) was formed. From the skin under her right arm, the Todich'ii'nii (Bitter Water Clan) was created, and from the skin under her left arm, the Hashtl'ishnii (Mud Clan) was made.

As the years pasted, most of the people of Dinétah started moving around from place to place, and other American Indian tribal bands were adopted into the Navajo tribe. The Beiyóodzíne' 34 (Paiutes) from Naatsis'áán (Navajo Mountain) were adopted but were left there because of differences over religious matters. The people (Diné) then moved down toward the south, where they left the Chíshí (Chiricahua Apache), and adopted the Mexicans (Naakaii). Then they went to the east, where the Naashgalí Dine'é (Mescalero Apaches) decided to stay. The Mescaleros now live from Albuquerque all the way down to the home of the Naakaii (Mexicans). From there, the Diné again moved to the vicinity of Dibé Nitsaa (La Plata Mountains), where the Beehai (Jicarilla Apaches) eventually settled. The People remained there for seven winters. They were happy, but there was one problem. The summers were too short. Because there was not time for the squash and corn to ripen, the main group moved to Tsé Naajiin (Cabezon Peak).

The names of more than half of the Navajo Clans suggest that they derived from the places in which the Clans originated, such as Kinyaa'aanii, a Pueblo ruin in the Crownpoint area of New Mexico, or Deeschii'nii, a canyon in the Cibecue area of the Western Apache country. The remainder, something less than half, claim origin from other American Indians including the Mexicans, Apaches, Utes, Commanches, and Puebloans (Zuni, Jemez, Zia, Santa Ana, and Hopi).

Now the Navajo Tribe has grown to it present system of about 70 or 80 different Navajo Clans. As of now, no official clans are represented for Anglos (Bilagana), Blacks (Zhini), or Asians, although Navajos who have one parent that is non-Navajo are still "born to" or "born for" Anglo-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, etc.. These clans are divided into nine major clan groupings, although a few smaller groupings are also recognized.

Below is a listing of the Clanship System.

Diné Clanship System

  
Kinyaa’32nii 13 - Towering House People
  
  
Related Clans: 
Dzi[ t’aadnii 5     Near the Mountain Clan
Azee’tsoh Dine’é     Big Medicine People
T2zhii Dine’é     Turkey People
Bít’ahnii     Folded Arms People
  
Adoped Clans: 
Halgai Dine’é     People of the Valley
Naashashí Dine’é 14     Bear Enemies - Tewa Clan
Naad33 Dine’é     Corn People

 
  
Honágháahnii - One-Walk-Around Clan 10
  
  
Related Clans: 
Tó’áhaní     Near-To-Water Clan 20
Ta’néészahnii     Badlands People 16
Hashk’aa hadzohí 8     Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line Clan 9
  
Adopted Clans: 
Níhoobáanii     Gray-Streak-Ends Clan
Ts’ah Yísk’ídnii     Sagebrush Hill Clan
Dzi[ t[’ahnii     Mountain Cove Clan 6
Dzi[ Ná'oodi[nii     Turning (Encircled) Mountain People 4

 
  
Tódích’íi’nii - Bitter Water Clan
  
  
Related Clans: 
Tseíkeehé 26     Two-Rocks-Sit Clan
Tsín Síkaadnii     Clamp Tree Clan
B88h Bítoo’nii     Deer Spring Clan
Tódík’=zhí     Salt Water Clan
T[’ógí     Weavers - Zia Clan
Yoo’í Dine’é 33     Bead People
  
Adopted Clans: 
Tóbaazhní’ázhí     Two-Who-Came-To-Water Clan
Naakét[’ahí     Flatfoot People - Pima Clan
B99hyázhí Dine’é     Little Deer People
K’aa’ Dine’é 11     Arrow People
Tséghadínídinii     Crystal Rock

 
  
Hasht[’ishnii - Mud Clan
  
  
Related Clans: 
Hooghan {ání     Many Hogans Clan
Tótsóhnii     Big Water Clan
Dzaanééz {ání     Many Mules (Burros) Clan
  
Adopted Clans: 
Lók’aa’ Dine’é     Reed People
Bít’ahnii     Folded Arms People
Tsédeeshgizhnii     Rock Gap Clan

 
  
Táchii’nii - Red-Running-Into-The-Water Clan
  
  
Related Clans: 
Nát’oh Dine’é     Tobacco People
Yé’ii Dine’é     Giant People 32
Dólii Dine’é     Blue Bird People
Naasht’ézhí Dine’é     Zuni Clan
Bííh Dine’é Táchii’nii     Deer People of Táchii’nii
Gah Dine’é Táchii’nii     Rabbit People of Táchii’nii 7
Náneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii     Charcoal-Streaked Division of Táchii’nii
Nóóda’í Dine’é Táchii’nii     Ute Division of Táchii’nii
  
Adopted Clans: 
Kin[ichíi’nii 12     Red House People - Zia Clan

 
  
Táb22hí - Water's Edge Clan
  
  
Related Clans: 
Haltsooí Dine’é     Meadow People
Tóbaazhní’ázhí     Two-Who-Came-To-Water Clan

 
  
Tséníjíkiní - Cliff Dwelling Clan 25
  
  
Related Clans: 
Dibé {izhiní     Black Sheep - San Felipe Clan
Ashiinii (extinct)     Salt People
Ma’iideeshgiizhinii     Coyote Pass People - Jemez Clan
  
Adopted Clans: 
Ashiihi     Salt Clan
Beiyóodzíne’ Dine’é 34     Paiute People
Dzi[ Ná’oodi[nii     Turning (Encircled) Mountain People 4
Kinlitsonii     Yellow House People
Naayízi[tsooi Dine’é     Pumpkin People
Ti’izhi[izhíní Dine’é     Black Goat People

 
  
Tó’aheedliinii 21 - Water-Flows-Together Clan
  
  
Related Clans: 
Naakaii Dine’é     Mexican Clan
  
Adopted Clans: 
Nóóda’i Dine’é     Ute Clan
Keha’atiinii     Foot-Trails People

 
  
Tsi’naajínii - Black-Streaked-Wood People 28
  
  
Related Clans: 
Deeshchii’nii     Start-Of-The-Red-Streaked People
Kin[ichíi’nii 12     Red House People - Zia Clan
Tl’izi[ani     Many Goats Clan
Tl’aashchí’í     Red Cheek People 18
Tsenahabi[nii 24     Sleep-Rock (Over-Hanging Rock) People
  
Adopted Clans: 
Naashashí Dine’é 14     Bear Enemies - Tewa Clan
T’iisch’ebaanii 17     Gray-Cottonwood-Extend-Out People

 
  
Other Adopted Clans
  
  
Ats’osi Dine’é 1     Feather People
Bííh Dine’é     Deer People
Biihtsoh Dine’é     Big Deer People
Bit’aanii 2 (extinct)     Talks-In-Blanket Clan 3
Chíshí     Chiricahua Apache
Di[zéehi     Mohave Clan
‘Iich’ah Dine’é (extinct)     Moth People
Jaa’yaalóolii Dine’é     Sticking-Up-Ears People
Ma’iitó     Coyote Spring People
Naa[ani Dine’é     Many Commanche Warriors Clan
Naashashí Dine’é 14     Bear Enemies - Tewa Clan
Naashgalí Dine’é     Mescalero Apache Clan
Naayízí Dine’é     Squash People
To’azoli 22     Light-Water People
Sei Bse Hooghnaii 15     Sand Hogan People
Téeatiin     Trail-To-Garden People
Tsetaa’aanii     Rock-Extends-Into-Water People
Tseyanatohnii (extinct)     Horizontal-Water-Under-Cliffs People
Tsezhindii’aai     Slanted-Lava-Spire People 27
Tsin Yee Na’alo’ii Dine’é 30     Tree Stretcher People 31

 

Footnotes

  1. Also Adóotsos Dine’é, Adóotsosnii. Another meaning Narrow Gorge People.
  2. Also Bit’shnii.
  3. Also With-In-His Cover Clan, Under-His-Cover Clan, Leaf Clan, His Leaves Clan.
  4. Also Mountain-Around-Which-Traveling-Was-Done People.
  5. Also Dzi[ t[’tade, Dzi[ t’aadí - Foothill Clan.
  6. Also Mountain Recess People.
  7. Also Rabbit Redwater People.
  8. Also Hashk’aa hadzoho.
  9. Also Yucca Fruit Clan.
  10. Also One-Who-Walks-Around-One Clan, He-Walks-Around-One Clan.
  11. Also K’aahanaanii - Living Arrow People.
  12. Also Ki[ichíi’nii.
  13. Also Kiyaa’32nii, Kiiyaa’32nii.
  14. Also Shash Dine’é, meaning Bear - Tewa Clan.
  15. Also Sei Bsehooghnaii.
  16. Also Rough Land Formation People, Tangle People.
  17. Also K’aich’ebaanii - Line-Of-Willows-Extend-Out-Gray People. Also K’ai Dine’é - Willow People.
  18. Also Red Bottoms People.
  19. Also Hairy Ones.
  20. Also Near-The-Water Clan.
  21. Also Tó’adheedliinii, or Tó’adheedlinii.
  22. Also To’aszoli.
  23. Also Alkaline Water Clan.
  24. Also Tsenahadi[nii 19.
  25. Also Honey-Combed Rock Clan, House-Of-Dark-Cliffs Clan, Rebuilding-A-Rock-House Clan.
  26. Also Tsékéhé, Tsíkeehí.
  27. Also Trap Dike People
  28. Also Black-Streak-Of-Forest People.
  29. Also Clumped Tree People.
  30. Also Tsin Yideel[’soodii, Tsin Yidee[coi.
  31. Also Carries-Things-With-Wooden-Sticks People.
  32. Also Yei-bi-chei People, Monster People.
  33. Also Yoo’ó Dine’é.
  34. Also Bayóodzíne' Dine’é, Beiyóodzín.

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URL: http://www.lapahie.com /Dine_Clans.cfm
Creator(s): Harrison Lapahie Jr.
Dated Created: 08/27/2001
Version: 3.2
Updated: 10/05/2009
Curator(s): Harrison Lapahie Jr.
Questions/Comments: Harrison Lapahie Jr.

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