Child of Mother Earth

Within Navajo culture, girls are traditionally blessed with coming of age ceremony- Kinaalda. This rite of passage observance is an important time in life. Striving to emulate Changing Woman.

Child of Mother Earth

Blessed from birth

with traditional Dine’ teachings

endowed with a rich legacy…

the knowledge of my worth

as a woman.

I am made whole again

 

To’ahani asdza nishli

I am a Nearwater Woman

reflecting the attributes of

Changing Woman and Mother Earth

sacred life-giver, nurturer and protector!

I mirror the strength, beauty and power

of the female side of the universe

 

I was blessed in “Kinaalda” ceremony

at the threshold of womanhood.

An equal to my male counterpart

Empowered….

 mentally

 Emotionally

 physically

and spiritually

with ancient songs and prayers

Four days of retelling of Dine’ Creation

stories in Hozhooji Beji’

My deities - the Holy Ones

attended and blessed me.

Gifted and witnessed

by my family and community.

I am Nahookaa Diyin Dine,

on the surface holy, sacred being!

Author's Note

As a Navajo woman I am empowered by the traditional teachings of my culture.
During my lifetime I have noticed different societies describe women as "the weaker sex"....somehow lesser?
As American Indians we have traditionally valued the important role of women. Our society is egalitarian, neither gender is considered to be less important or inferior. Sadly this knowledge is being forgotten and replaced by western thought.

Reviews

[Phill Oz O'fee]

How refreshing to read such a beautifully humbling poem. It is important to share the importance of tradition and to remind others of the values seemingly swallowed up in our ever changing materialistic world!

Brilliant write – well done!

Bless - Nizhónígo Nee Ado’ááł

[Jaweena...Eileen Quintana]

Ahehee! Diné' ish nílí?

[Trigorin]

Not bad. You definitely have a unique perspective on this, and that helps keep the audience engaged. Some of your language is a little stilted, but nothing too major. Good work.

[Robin]

as one who listens to the Wind song , immersed in the spirit of the Great Mother , I pause in great respect for these words in honor of the sacred divinity of woman ~

[Tate Morgan]

Now that is what is called culture

[Jaweena...Eileen Quintana]

I write about my experiences...appreciate that you stopping by Tate!

[Jaweena...Eileen Quintana]

stopped

[Chris]

Life is a shared balance of our roles... quite meaning less without a pairing.

[MOON]

Sad is it not in many cultures women were regarded as equals , yet both in eastern and western cultures men or the prevailing cultures have given women second place made them inferior. Lovely write on the rite of passage

[Coyote Poetry]

The photo is beautiful. I like the flow of words. We need prayer to open the heart to joy and happiness. Thank you for the outstanding thoughts and prayer.
Coyote

[Jaweena...Eileen Quintana]

We celebrated Rosebud's Kinaalda two years ago (with many happy memories) surrounded with our whole family and friends. My babygirl is well taken care of. Happy thoughts sent to you and yours....

[Jaweena...Eileen Quinta..]

I agree. Thank you for taking the time to give me feed back, I appreciate that!
Children are important-our greatest asset as humans, we need to remember this and show that we place them in the highest priority. I used my daughter's picture from a couple of years ago...when she went through her Kinaalda.

[Marie Anzalone]

You are welcome...and thank you for honoring such an important topic like this

[Marie Anzalone]

This is beautiful, Jaweena. I think it is vitally important for children of both genders to have a coming of age recognition/ celebration. I read an account once where a non-jewish woman wanted to do something, as a single mom, for her 15 year-old son, so she held a "not-mitzvah," and invited all adult male relatives in the boy's life to come share a special day of wisdom with him for his birthday. Latin culture has the quinciniera for their girls. I think that when I have children, especially a daughter, I want to have a wise person gathering for them. Because it is a transition- a stage of steppign forward into adulthood. A confusing time, when children ned more than just their parents and peers. they need grounding, and community, and divine grace. Especially our girls, who typically lose so much self-esteem and confidence at this age.