Dine Bikeyah, or Navajoland, is larger than 10 of the 50 states in America. This vast land is unique because the people here have achieved something quite rare: the ability of an indigenous people to blend both traditional and modem ways of life. The Navajo Nation truly is a nation within a nation.

In years past, Navajoland often appeared to be little more than a desolate section of the Southwest, but it was only a matter of time before the Navajo Nation became known as a wealthy nation in a world of its own.

The discovery of oil on Navajoland in the early 1920's promoted the need for a more systematic form of government, In 1923, a tribal government was established to help meet the increasing desires of American oil companies to lease Navajoland for exploration. Navajo government has evolved into the largest and most sophisticated form of American Indian govemment.

Navajos are unsurpassed in their ability to create exquisite and multi-faceted art. Nowhere is this more true than in the beauty of their silversmithing. It is believed that Navajos began working with turquoise after returning from the "Long Walk" to and from Fort Summer, New Mexico in 1868. Aside from its omamental value, turquoise is especially important to the Navajo people because of its religious significance and its representation of well-being in an individual.

Navajos believe that the Holy People, who originated with First Man and First Woman, made baskets for ceremonial purposes. Each part of the basket has a special significance. Today, apart from their ceremonial usage, Navajos also use baskets as household displays.

Navajo rug weaving is recognized throughout the world, not only because of its aesthetic qualities, but also because of its unique stylistic changes. Navajo women believe the art of weaving was taught by Spider Woman, who constructed a loom according to directions given by the Holy People. Today, distinct styles of rugs identify designs woven in different regions: Two Grey Hills, Ganado, Teec Nos Pos and Crystal - all famous world-wide.

Sandpainting, another unique and symbolic art form originating with the Holy People, was and still is primarily ceremonial. Sandpaintings represent an array of ceremonies and sacred songs.

The Navajo people, the Dine, passed through three different worlds before emerging into this world, The Fourth World, or Glittering World.

The Dine believe there are two classes of beings: the Earth People and the Holy People. The Holy People are believed to have the power to aid or harm the Earth People. Since Earth People of the Dine are an integral part of the universe, they must do everything they can to maintain harmony or balance on Mother Earth.

It is believed that centuries ago the Holy People taught the Dine how to live the right way and to conduct their many acts of everyday life. They were taught to live in harmony with Mother Earth, Father Sky and the many other elements such as man, animals, plants, and insects. The Holy People put four sacred mountains in four different directions, Mt. Blanca to the east, Mt. Taylor to the south, San Francisco Peak to the west and Mt Hesperus to the north near Durango, Colorado, thus creating Navajoland. The four directions are represented by four colors: White Shell represents the east. Turquoise the south, Yellow Abalone the west, and Jet Black the north.

The number four permeates traditional Navajo philosophy. In the Navajo culture there are four directions, four seasons, the first four clans and four colors that are associated with the four sacred mountains. Inmost Navajo rituals there are four songs and multiples thereof, as well as many other symbolic uses of four.
When disorder evolves in a Navajo's life, such as an illness, medicinemen use herbs, prayers, songs and ceremonies to help cure patients. Some tribal members choose to be cured at the many hospitals on the Navajo Notion. Some will seek the assistance of a traditional Navajo medicineman. A qualified medicineman is a unique individual bestowed with supernatural powers to diagnose a person's problem and to heal or cure an illness and restore harmony to the patient.

There are more than 50 different kinds of ceremonies that may be used in the Navajo culture - all performed at various times for a specific reason. Some ceremonies last several hours, while others may last as long as nine days.