Traditional Dineh Hooghan, Canyon de Chelly

Traditional Dineh Hooghan, Canyon de Chelly

A 200-year old Hooghan nestled under a goliath Cottonwood in Canyon de Chelly.
Important note: I was a guest of the owner of this Hooghan. When visiting the Canyon, please DO NOT take photos hooghans or other dwellings without the permission of the owner.
30 April 2008
Sarah Simon
on May 6, 2008 7:43 pm
Image Type(s): Hiking
Image ID: 401783

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lcarreau

lcarreau - May 7, 2008 12:59 pm - Voted 10/10

I've read about this ...

Yes, everything should be respected.
Where are you getting the spelling of
'Hooghan?' When you click on the
Navajo Nation's website, it refers to
these structures as 'HOGANS.' Nice
photo of the Cottonwood tree! Is there
a reliable source of water in that area?
Is it the water that attracts the
coyotes? I need to discover this area
for myself! Outstanding photo, Sarah!!!

Sarah Simon

Sarah Simon - May 7, 2008 1:46 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: I've read about this ...

Larry,

I've seen the name of these traditional structures both ways: Hogan and Hooghan. "Hooghan" more closely conveys, in my mind, the almost musical Dineh pronunciation. In the end, it's one of those words that the Roman/Latin alphabet just doesn't really have ready characters to convey.

Yes, there's plenty of water in the area during the Spring. There's a wash/stream running through the canyon. Good luck getting anyone to agree on the name of the body of water, though. I've heard "Chinle Wash", "Canyon de Chelly stream" and "No, it doesn't really have a name."

lcarreau

lcarreau - May 7, 2008 2:23 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: I've read about this ...

Okay, I'll do some research! Chinle Wash
sounds great to me! There also must be
some natural springs in the area, like
what they have on Navajo Mountain. The
'sandstone formations' were classified as
The Chinle Formation and Navajo Sandstone.
They're thought to be the remains of a
vast field of ancient sand dunes in Earth's
history, representing a desert that
stretched from s. Nevada to w. Colorado.
Then, the whole Colorado Plateau was
'uplifted' due to tectonic activity. After
a person gets past the WORDS, the silence
and beauty of the place must be INCREDIBLE!
- Larry of AZ

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