Tornado a warning, time for ceremony

By Dr. Avery Denny

Editor’s note: Hataałii Avery Denny is president of the Diné Hataałii Association Inc., and a professor at Diné College, where he teaches in the Diné School of Navajo Ceremonial Science. He is ordained in Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí, Naayée’eejí and Tł’éé’jí Hatáál.

The Dine Hataałii Association, Inc. as the responsible caretakers of the traditional ceremonial items and provider of leadership to many traditional chanters, herbalists, diagnosticians, counselors, educators, etc. informs all that the recent tornado visit in southeast Utah is indeed tragic.In our traditional understanding per oral teachings, it is a warning that we receive from our deities about the state of our people and nation. Though it is mostly due to drifting from our traditional beliefs, culture, and values, it is not too late. Per those same oral traditions about such possible mishaps, we were told of ways to address the situations. Hence it is our advice that we proceed as follows.

As we are still able to before the new crescent of Ghąąjį (October), Earth offerings have to be made. The offering of sacred minerals to our mother Earth and divine nature assures their continued protection. This is where our traditional chanters with sacred medicine bundles can help our people.

Offerings to the site of the path of the tornado need to be done. The wind way chanters have their role here. The powerful deities, like the tornado, understand that they have their paths inasmuch that we have our paths. We as five fingered earth surface people must stay on our path and continue to educate our people about abiding by our fundamental laws.

We must work to help people who live in the path of the recent tornado and people that guide with ceremonial cleansing. The wind way chanters have ceremonies and herbs on how to help people that are affected by the tornado winds.

It is clear per our oral traditions why these mishaps will start to occur. It is time to carry out corrective action ceremonies. Now is not the time for placing fear in people, pointing fingers on why it happened nor is it the time to begin a swarm of diagnosis ceremonies. The DHA, Inc.

informs all of the chanters, herbalists, diagnosticians, counselors, educators, etc. to help in this initiative.

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