The Singing Scoutmaster: Emergence of the Diné and the Creation of the Glittering World, The

Long ago, before there was time as we know it, the Diné (Navajo people) lived in a series of three underworlds, each different from the world above. These underworlds were filled with strange creatures—animals, insects, and masked spirits—unlike the people of today. But eventually, the people emerged from these worlds and entered the Fourth World, the place known as the "Glittering World," where we now live.

It was First Man, 'Altsé Hastiin, and First Woman, 'Altsé Asdzaa, who led the way to the Glittering World. They were created in the First World: First Man from the meeting of the white and black clouds in the east, and First Woman from the joining of the yellow and blue clouds in the west. Together with Spider Woman, who taught the Diné how to weave, and Talking God, they began to shape the new world.

The people arrived in this new world through a magic reed that led them up from the darkness below. The first thing they did was build a sweat house and sing the Blessing Song to purify themselves from the journey. They constructed a hogan—their first house—exactly as Talking God had shown them, using it to name and bless the four sacred mountains that would define the boundaries of their homeland.

The sacred mountains were set down in each direction, and with them, the Diné named four sacred stones. To the east, they placed Mt. Blanco (Tsisnaasjini') in Colorado, representing the White Shell stone. To the south, they set down Mt. Taylor (Tsoodzil) in New Mexico, representing the Turquoise stone. To the west, they named the San Francisco Peaks (Dook'o'oosłííd) near Flagstaff, representing the Abalone and Coral stones. To the north, they placed Mt. Hesperus (Dibé Ntsaa) in Colorado, representing the Black Jet stone. These mountains and stones became the guardians and boundaries of their land.

With the mountains in place, the Holy People set the sun and moon into the sky. They carefully placed each star, one by one, arranging them in a perfect pattern. But Coyote, the trickster, grew impatient. Frustrated with the slow pace, he grabbed the corner of the blanket holding the remaining stars and flung them into the sky. The stars scattered in a chaotic mess, leaving the sky full of disorder and unpredictability.

Despite Coyote's mischief, the Holy People continued to create. They made clouds, trees, and rain, filling the world with all the necessities of life. Everything seemed to be going well—until the monsters arrived. These evil beings began to roam the land, attacking and killing the people. The Diné were in great danger, but hope arrived in the form of a miraculous birth: Asdzaa Nadleehe, Ever Changing Woman, was born at Gobernador Knob in New Mexico.

Changing Woman grew quickly, raised near El Huerfano Mesa. She married the Sun and bore twin sons—Monster Slayer and Child-Born-of-Water. The twins set out to rid the land of the terrible monsters. Armed with lightning bolts gifted by their father, the Sun, the Hero Twins hunted down and destroyed the monsters. Every time they killed a monster, its body turned to stone, forming the angular rock formations that can still be seen today on the Diné homeland, such as the immense Black Mesa (Dzil Yijiin) and the lava flows near Mt. Taylor, which are believed to be the blood of Ye'iitsoh, the 'Monster Who Sucked In People'.

With the land safe once more, the Holy People turned their attention to creating the four original clans of the Diné. The first clan, Kiiyaa'áanii, or Tall House People, was made from yellow and white corn. Other clans came to join them, bringing their own unique gifts to the tribe. Some were Paiutes, known for their beautiful baskets. Others were Pueblos, who shared their farming and weaving skills. Still others were Utes and Apaches.

But Changing Woman grew lonely, living in her crystal house made of the four sacred stones—Abalone, White Shell, Turquoise, and Black Jet. To ease her loneliness, she made four new clans from the flakes of her skin. These were the Near Water People, Mud People, Salt Water People, and Bitter Water People. Hearing that there were other people to the east who shared their heritage, these new clans decided to journey to meet them.

Changing Woman gave her blessing, and the clans traveled eastward from the western sea to the San Francisco Peaks. They passed through the Hopi mesas, leaving behind porcupines that still live there today. They continued toward the Chuska Mountains and on to Mt. Taylor, until finally, they reached Dinetah—the traditional homeland of the Diné—located in the many canyons that drain the San Juan River, about 30 miles east of present-day Farmington, New Mexico.

There, the clans reunited, forming the foundation of the Navajo Nation. The people remembered the teachings of the Holy People and the sacrifices made to create their world. They vowed to live in harmony, respecting the land, the mountains, and the spirits that guided them. Thus, the Diné began their journey in the Glittering World, carrying the stories of their creation and the wisdom of their ancestors wherever they went.