Connected Through Kinship
Clan and Relationship

By Anna Mae Fowler

K’é is the Navajo word for kinship, encompassing family and other relatives. A Navajo person introduces themselves by stating the four clans they belong to when asked. It is the proper way to introduce your clans to your relatives.

Clans are very sacred to the Navajo people; not only do they tell where you are from, but they also bring people closer together. Navajo life revolves around Kinship. The early years of Navajo life, now part of our history, show that the Navajo people sought a way to remain in Kinship with one another, thereby creating the clan system we know today.

The first ancestor, Changing Women-Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehé, created the four original clans for the Navajo people. Kinyaa’áanii, born for the Towering House clan. Honágháahnii, born for the One who walks around clan. Tódich’ii’nii, born for the Bitter Water clan. Hashtł’ishnii, born for the Mud clan. These four clans became the foundation for the clan system. All other clans we have today stem from these four original clans. They might sound different, but they all connect back to the roots Changing Women instilled.

The way the clan system works is that you get two clans from each side. Your first clan is your maternal grandmother-shimásáni, the second clan is your paternal grandmother-shinálí asdzaa, the third clan is your paternal grandfather-shinálí hastiin, and finally your last clan is your maternal grandfather-shicheíí. It is important to know where you come from.

For a better understanding of how the clans work, here is mine. Naasht’eezhi Dine’e Tach’iinii nishłí, To’dich’iinii bashishciin, Toóayatéénii dashinálí, Ashii dashicheii. I am of the Zuni Red Running into the Water Clan, born for the Bitter Water Clan. My maternal grandparents are of the Near to Water Clan, and my paternal grandparents are the Salt Clan.

Clans are more than just words; they connect us and bring us closer to people we might not know. Just by introducing yourself, you instantly have a relative by your side. K’é and clanship unify the Navajo people.