The Navajo are a Native American people with a rich culture and history, now primarily living in the southwestern United States across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Their traditional name for themselves is Diné, which means “the people” in their language.

The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American territory in the United States, covering over 27,000 square miles of dramatic desert landscapes including canyons, mesas, and red rock formations. More than 300,000 Navajo people live there today, making them the second-largest Native American group by population in the country.

Navajo culture is known for beautiful crafts and traditions passed down through generations. Navajo weavers create intricate rugs and blankets with geometric patterns and vibrant colors. Navajo silversmiths craft distinctive jewelry featuring turquoise stones. The Navajo language is complex and melodic, and during World War II, Navajo code talkers used their native language to create an unbreakable military code that helped the Allies win crucial battles in the Pacific.

Traditional Navajo homes called hogans are eight-sided structures with doors facing east to greet the rising sun. Many Navajo families today blend traditional ways with modern life, speaking both Navajo and English, and maintaining ceremonies and customs that connect them to their ancestors and the land.