Begay, Shonto. 1995. Navajo: visions and voices across the mesa. New York: Scholastic. 0590461532
Plot Summary
The book is a collection of poems and paintings about life in northern Navajoland. Begay's personal introduction shares intentions to expose his experiences growing up Navajo, schooled in government boarding schools, and during a time of great technological advancements. The poems are intimate reflections about his family members, seasons, animals, ancestors, and rituals of today.
Critical Analysis
The collection is a beautiful, personal piece that both Navajo and non-Navajo can enjoy. Begay's paintings are done in a pattern of small strokes across the page with vibrant and earth tones blending. They create moods of daylight and dusk, solemn faces of contemplation and peace, subtle backdrops of animal spirits and cliff dwellings. They are about each poem but stand as their works of art without verse as well.
The poems are free verse and rhyme. Begays words are flowing and vividly descriptive. They juxtapose the old and today understandings of life. For example, in Navajo Power Plant "Navajo power plant and the powerful healing plant [tobacco], they share the same plateau. One gives us strength and wisdom here and now - one gives power to strangers somewhere over the horizon." (p34) Also, in Anasazi Diaspora "The buildings [cliff houses] were left standing to remind us for all time what will happen if we choose to forget our history, our stories, and above all, our relation to our mother, the earth." (p43) Begay paints portraits, with both his words and paints, of the continuity of his life from those before him and those to come.
Some of the poems are simple descriptions about events in the daily lives of his friends and family. Coyote Crossing is a poem about an afternoon his aunt and uncle were riding in their truck and a coyote crossed the road. They pulled off to honor the coyote and to reflect on their journey. He describes the contents of the glove box (unknown papers, Book of Mormon, corn pollen pouch) and in so doing shares the modern possessions of his relatives. The prayer said after seeing the Coyote is about harmony with the Earth and Sun, and restoring the beauty through respect. All the while, a European hitchhiker sits in the truck bed nibbling his organic snack. Again in a reverence to life's continuity, his uncle says "Coyote learned all our lessons in mythic times. He carries with him wisdom and strength as well as the dark sides of us."(p39)
The poems are neither fantastical or wild visions, but relate common understandings, from common situations and people, and the ways that the author comes to know his place in the world. This book was fantastic. I enjoyed it because it was a balance between the myths and legends of the people and the simple lessons of life learned through interactions with people and the environment. It is a shame that it is often miscataloged into the children's area simply because the large thin format of the book. It would support any adult poetry section as well. Or could be found in the Navajo Indians section of the non-fiction area.
Review Excerpts
"With these heartfelt paintings, poems and memoirs, the noted Navajo artist fulfills his stated goal of taking the reader "into the corners of my world, the Navajo world." - Publishers Weekly
"His figures are dignified but not idealized. Powerful and appealing in both word and image..." - School Library Journal
"His work is not angry or sentimental; there is an honesty and straightforwardness that allows his readers/viewers insight into his world-view. The variety of images reflects the complexity of life that many contemporary Navajo face." - Booklist
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0590461532/sr=8-1/qid=1184448842/ref=dp_proddesc_0/103-0135049-6180654?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1184448842&sr=8-1
Connections
Other Navajo stories for young readers:
- Alice Yazzie's year. Ramona Maher. 1582460809
- Secrets from the center of the world. Joy Harjo. 0816511136
- Morning Arrow. Nanabah Chee Dodge. 068841687x
Dine author & artist of Maternal Clan: Bitter Water and Paternal Clan: Salt Clan
website http://www.shontogallery.com/
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