Part B of the California and the Southwestern Legends is similar to Part A in that is a collection short stories from the region. Specifically, I read The Boy Who Became A God. It is from the Navajo people of Arizona and New Mexico. The story mentions the brothers are part of the Tolchini, which are a clan of the Navajo. My research failed to bring up any new information of this clan, so perhaps it is a small sect of the Navajo community. I also did look up Wind Mountain and happened to find that it is located in Washington and Oregon. This is interesting as the Navajo are mainly associated with the Southwest and go mainly as north as Utah and Colorado. Regarding the story, it is interesting to see the influence of animals among the Navajo tribe. Sheep, crows, and deer all play a prominent role in the story, particularly the sheep. The sheep, as mentioned in the note before the story, highlights the importance of the sheep among the community. While researching sheep among the Navajo, I found that sheep were often used as a form of currency and even represented a status symbol. Sheep were quite important to the economic well being of the Navajo. Thus, it makes more sense why the sheep are portrayed as gods in the story. I did find it notable that the sheep were arguing not to hunt against them, and the overall story had a non-violent message. This is notable as I read that the Navajo were considered to be hunters in addition to being gatherers. If I were to do a retelling of the story, I would try to include so more background information on the Navajo tribe so that the reader can better understand the setting as well as cultural background of the characters. I feel like this would enhanced my understanding of the story.
Bibliography: Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Katharine Berry Judson (1912).
Wikimedia: A Navajo man
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