Shí naashá facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Shí naashá"
Flag of the Navajo Nation
Song
Language	Navajo
Written	1868

Shí naashá is a special Navajo song. Its name means "I am going" or "I am walking around." This song was created in 1868. It celebrates a very important event for the Navajo people. They were finally set free from a difficult time. This time was when they were held at a place called Fort Sumner.

The Story Behind "Shí naashá"

The Navajo people faced a tough period in their history. They were forced to leave their homes. This journey is known as the Long Walk. They had to live far away at Fort Sumner. This was a place where they were kept against their will.

In 1868, the Navajo people signed a treaty. This agreement allowed them to return to their homeland. This was a huge moment of happiness for them. The song "Shí naashá" was written to remember this special day. It captures the joy of going back home.

What the Song Means

The words of "Shí naashá" show how happy the Navajo people were. They were excited to return to their lands. The song is different from most other Navajo songs. Usually, Navajo songs have words that are hard to translate exactly into English.

But "Shí naashá" is almost fully translatable. This means most of its words can be easily understood in English. A very important word in the song is hózhǫ́. This word means beauty. It is a big idea in Navajo culture and spirituality. The song uses this word many times. It shows that beauty is all around as they return home.

Lyrics

Here are the words to "Shí naashá" and what they mean: