The Dine (Navajo) Hozho Lifeway: A Focused Ethnography on Intergenerational Understanding of American Indian Cultural Wisdom

Purpose: Hozho is the cultural wisdom that guides the Dine lifeway. This study examines understanding of cultural wisdom (CW) across three generations: elders, adults, and adolescents. Method: A focused ethnography was conducted on the Navajo Nation. Twenty-two Dine (Navajo) were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected via two semistructured interviews and photovoice methods. Data were analyzed using content analysis, thematic analysis, and participatory visual analysis of photos. Results: The Dine elders embodied the greatest in-depth understanding of CW followed by the adolescents. An unexpected finding was the scarcity of understanding of CW among the adults. Conclusion: The Dine understanding of CW is transferred through discussion with elders, listening to and speaking traditional language, cultural preservation activities, and participation in cultural practices. The Dine believe cultural wisdom is a health sustaining protective factor, therefore strategies to restore, promote, and support the intergenerational transfer of cultural wisdom remains a tribal priority.

Automated summary

The study found that Dine elders have the deepest understanding of cultural wisdom, followed by adolescents, while adults have a limited understanding. The Dine believe that cultural wisdom is a key factor in maintaining health, making it a tribal priority to restore, promote, and support the intergenerational transfer of cultural wisdom.