Plant Genome Outreach to Native Americans

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Rain

The Navajo believe that there are two types of rain, one is a female rain. The female rain is very quiet, calm, gentle, and soothing. When dark clouds begin to form lightning, it becomes the male rain. Male rain can be rough, and it is not as pleasant as the female rain. The following photos show the differences of female and male rain. Picture (A) is the female rain, (B) is the male rain. We as Dine (Navajo) people believe that there are both a female and male that surround us. Originally the Navajo people would plant the seeds into the dirt and the corn seed would soften after it rains and would grow. This is shown in picture (C). Picture (C) is reservation dirt. Picture (D) shows the corn growing a field with richer soil. Corn is the Navajo's first medicine and food source.

A.   B.
C.   D.

 After the female and male rain pass, through and leaves the pleasant sight of a rainbow appears.



AT The Rainbow's End  Navajo Belief

"The Navajo believe that you never point at a rainbow with your pointer (index) finger, if you point at the rainbow with your pointer, it will become deformed and crooked. Your thumb is the recommended finger."



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