WARRIOR TWINS

Navajo Hero God

Also known as Naabaahii, Twin Brothers

Monster Slaying Twins

These are hero twins. The sons of Estanatlehi, they slaughtered a whole bunch of nasty rampaging monsters in a series of thrilling adventures.

When twin brothers Nayenezgani and Tobadzistsini were born, dad was not around. As they grew up with questions, mother was somewhat vague. She wasn’t sure if she was Goddess of the Moon or the Earth, but it was something that went round. Perhaps it was Time.

So the likely lads set off in search and came upon a mysterious hole. It led them to the underground abode of Spider Woman (See Kokyangwuti). Well, that was a bit of luck. She knew all about their quest and warned them they were in for some nasty ordeals. Then, because Spider Woman is really a big old softy, she gave them a magic feather each.

No sooner than they had reached the surface when Pow! They were abducted by a fire-eyed chief who scared the living daylights out of them. And worse. Without their magic feathers they would not have survived the subsequent poisoning, steaming and being stuck on spikes. This was very bad manners, they thought, as they had not even been introduced, but it seemed rude to ask.

After a very tortuous time, their captor, impressed by the lads’ stoical bravery, told them his name was Tsohanoai. “Dad!” they exclaimed, and then it was family re-union time. He was so proud. “What do you want to do with your immortal lives?” “Kill Demons!” they whooped. “Good lads!” he cried, ‘you’ve passed your physical and here are some weapons for you — sunshaft spears and lightning. Oh I’m so proud of you!”

And they all lived happily ever after. Nayenezgani went straight off to kill the demon Thelgeth as a warm-up. Even the ill-fated demons couldn’t complain as they all turned into harmless animals. What next — a Magic Feather Duster?[

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Article last revised on May 26, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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