Jeff King (Navajo)
Encyclopedia
Jeff King was a US Army scout from 1891 to 1911, and went on to become a highly respected (singer, or medicine man).
According to army records, King was born in Rock Springs, New Mexico
, in 1865; however, his family's records indicated that he may have been born as early as 1851. He lived for most of his life in Pinedale, New Mexico
on the Navajo Reservation.
When the United States joined World War II
in 1941 and young Navajos left the reservation to serve in the army, King performed a ritual for them called Where the Two Came to Their Father that tells the story of two young heroes who go to the hogan
of their father, the Sun, and return with the power to destroy the monsters that are plaguing their people. The two-day ceremony, which included songs and elaborate sand paintings, was meant to keep the young men's souls healthy as they went off to fight, away from their land and their people.
At the time, an artist and ethnologist named Maud Oakes
was living on the reservation. With King's permission, she recorded the ceremony, including the sand-paintings. She published the text and her paintings, with commentary by mythologist Joseph Campbell
, as Where the Two Came to Their Father: A Navaho War Ceremonial. It is one of the most complete extant recordings of a Navajo ritual.
King was also known to perform two of the other great Navajo ceremonies: the (Blessing Way) and (Enemy Way
).
King died and was buried in January 1964. He was the first Navajo buried at Arlington National Cemetery
, near Washington, D.C.
According to army records, King was born in Rock Springs, New Mexico
Rock Springs, New Mexico
Rock Springs is a census-designated place in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 558 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rock Springs is located at ....
, in 1865; however, his family's records indicated that he may have been born as early as 1851. He lived for most of his life in Pinedale, New Mexico
Pinedale, New Mexico
Pinedale is an unincorporated community in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States . Its Navajo name is .It was the home of Hastiin Jeff King, a Navajo singer .-Notable residents:...
on the Navajo Reservation.
When the United States joined World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1941 and young Navajos left the reservation to serve in the army, King performed a ritual for them called Where the Two Came to Their Father that tells the story of two young heroes who go to the hogan
Hogan
A hogan is the primary traditional home of the Navajo people. Other traditional structures include the summer shelter, the underground home, and the sweat house...
of their father, the Sun, and return with the power to destroy the monsters that are plaguing their people. The two-day ceremony, which included songs and elaborate sand paintings, was meant to keep the young men's souls healthy as they went off to fight, away from their land and their people.
At the time, an artist and ethnologist named Maud Oakes
Maud Oakes
Maud Oakes was an artist, ethnologist and writer who spent her life studying and recording the indigenous cultures of Native American tribes, including the Navajo of the American Southwest and the Mam of Guatemala....
was living on the reservation. With King's permission, she recorded the ceremony, including the sand-paintings. She published the text and her paintings, with commentary by mythologist Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell
Joseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience...
, as Where the Two Came to Their Father: A Navaho War Ceremonial. It is one of the most complete extant recordings of a Navajo ritual.
King was also known to perform two of the other great Navajo ceremonies: the (Blessing Way) and (Enemy Way
Navajo people
The Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
).
King died and was buried in January 1964. He was the first Navajo buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, near Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....