doone'é
The Navajo word for clan is doone'é.
The term refers to a group of people who share a common ancestor.
Meaning: group having common ancestor (noun)
Did you know?
- Because of the doone'é system, a Navajo person may call a total stranger 'mother' if that person belongs to the speaker's mother's clan.
- When introducing themselves, a speaker lists four clans: their own, their mother's, their father's and their maternal grandfather's.
- A person's sense of place in the world is defined by their doone'é in relation to their mother's clan. In Navajo tradition, your maternal clan is your primary source of identity.
Example conversation
Amanda and Justin are talking about their family histories.
- AmandaJustin, doone'é nihił?Justin, do you have a clan?
- JustinÁáh, doone'é nihił.Yes, I have a clan.
- AmandaT'áá ííní doone'é?Is it a large clan?
- JustinÁáh, t'áá ííní doone'é.Yes, it is a very large clan.
