anaaʼ
/ʔɑ̀nɑ̀ːʔ/
The Navajo word for war is anaaʼ.
anaaʼ is a noun used to describe a conflict involving organized use of arms.
Meaning: conflict involving organized use of arms (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔɑ̀nɑ̀ːʔ/
Did you know?
- While anaaʼ denotes organized conflict, Navajo tradition historically emphasizes the concept of 'harmony' or hózhó, making the state of 'war' a profound disruption of cosmic balance.
- In Navajo culture, the trauma of 'war' is often addressed through specific healing ceremonies intended to remove 'war sickness' from returning veterans.
- In many traditional Navajo oral histories, describing 'war' involves specific terminology for the 'bringing of trouble' rather than just 'conflict'.
Examples in context
- 1868, trans. 1946, Treaty of Bosque Redondo
Wááshindoon anaaʼ doo yinízin da…The government of the United States does not desire war…This sentence is useful for seeing anaaʼ used in the context of a historical treaty.
Example conversation
Amanda and Kyle are discussing a history book.
- AmandaTʼáá áłtsóó anaaʼ łichíį́h.The war is very terrible.
- KyleÁá', tʼáá átʼé.Yes, that is true.
- AmandaDoo anaaʼ yínííh da.The war does not end.
- KyleKʼad tʼáá áłtsóó yínííh.Now it has completely ended.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “war” translations and entries anaaʼ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
