Sandpaintings of the Navajo Shooting Chant

by Franc Johnson Newcomb, Gladys A. Reichard

A classic of ethnology, reproducing in full color 35 sandpaintings from this important Navajo healing ceremony and analyzing their composition and artistic devices. The rites are described and explained and the symbolism and myth they express thoroughly explored.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Native American

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Newcomb21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My great grandmother wrote this book. I read it among all of her other books. It’s amazing. I never met her. She died before I was born. Her books and my relatives memories are my connections to her. I keep her books close and re-read them often. I don’t think I am biased because all of her works are incredibly written.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book almost by accident when I was researching where the title for Aimee and David Thurlo's Shooting Chant came from. In Sandpaintings of the Navajo Shooting Chant I found much more. The book includes how Singers are developed, the dedication and apprenticeship necessary to learn the chants and the incredible detail and endurance required to perform the multiple day Sings. Newcomb also outlines the myth of the Hero twins and Changing Woman, which really helped make richer sense of novels with a Navajo setting. Newcomb and Reichard explain some of the symbolism flowing out of the myth and how these symbols are used in creating the sand paintings. Finally, the color plates of the sand paintings are just amazing.

This book challenges the reader to stay with it, yet certainly rewards the effort.