Meet the Diné people. We are the grandchildren of the Holy People, known as the Nihokaa Diyin Diné’é — the Holy Ones who walk upon the Earth. Our oral traditions tell of beginnings that reach back countless generations, to the First World. This First World was a place of darkness, where the Insect People lived. We are the grandchildren of the Holy People, known as the Nihokaa Diyin Diné’é — the Holy Ones who walk upon the Earth. Our oral traditions tell of beginnings that reach back countless generations, to the First World. This First World was a place of darkness, where the Insect People lived.

It was there that First Man (Áłtsé Hastiin) and First Woman (Áłtsé Asdzáá) came into being, formed from air and clouds. At this time, Coyote also roamed those lands. First Man brought forth light by kindling the White Shell stone, while in the far west, First Woman lit the Turquoise stone. As they traveled the land, their paths crossed, and together they began the sacred journey that would one day give life to the Navajo people.First Man (Áłtsé Hastiin) and First Woman (Áłtsé Asdzáá) came into being, formed from air and clouds. At this time, Coyote also roamed those lands. First Man brought forth light by kindling the White Shell stone, while in the far west, First Woman lit the Turquoise stone. As they traveled the land, their paths crossed, and together they began the sacred journey that would one day give life to the Navajo people.

Yet the First World was not a place of peace. Quarrels and fighting plagued the Insect People. Dissatisfied with the chaos, First Man, First Woman, Coyote, and certain insect beings left behind the Black World. Guided by the Holy People, they journeyed onward into the Second World — the Blue World.First Man, First Woman, Coyote, and certain insect beings left behind the Black World. Guided by the Holy People, they journeyed onward into the Second World — the Blue World.

Blue World, Ni' Hodootl'izh

In this Blue World, many kinds of birds and animals already lived — the Bluebird, the Blue Hawk, the Blue Jay, and others. For a time, there was peace. But disharmony followed again, sparked by jealousy and wrongdoing among the beings. The Holy People instructed the travelers to leave, and so they rose into the next world.

Yellow World, Ni' Haltsooi

From there, they entered the Third World — the Yellow World. Here they met new beings and began to establish order, setting down teachings and ways of life. Yet even here, Coyote’s mischief brought turmoil. In his trickery, he stole Water Monster’s child, and in anger, a great flood began to rise. To escape, an elaborate plan was created to plant certain trees that could grow far into the sky. First Man had tried all the trees in the third world, with no success. It was until he planted the Reed (Look'aa) that the reed grew into the opening in the sky. The beings began to climbed into the Fourth World, the first being to reach the fourth world was the Locust (Wooneez ch'iidii), he was tested by the Holy People four times; each time he passed the test. Finally, the beings were allowed to emerge into the fourth world, the Glittering World. When they did get to the fourth world, the flood continued, they wondered why the Water Monster was upset. They saw Coyote holding two children of the Water Monster under his cover, the beings retrieved the two babies and threw them back into third world. At this point, the flood stopped and receded. The beings finally moved on, and began their new lives in the Glittering world.

White World, Ni' Halgai or Glittering World

The Fourth World — our Glittering World — is where the Holy People prepared the land for the Diné. It is here that the sacred mountains were placed as boundaries, and the clans and ways of life were established. From First Man and First Woman, through the guidance of the Holy People, we, the Diné, came to walk this land — as grandchildren of the Holy Ones, with teachings that continue to guide us today.Fourth World — our Glittering World — is where the Holy People prepared the land for the Diné. It is here that the sacred mountains were placed as boundaries, and the clans and ways of life were established. From First Man and First Woman, through the guidance of the Holy People, we, the Diné, came to walk this land — as grandchildren of the Holy Ones, with teachings that continue to guide us today.