Áchʼįʼ hózhǫ́, A Navaho Peace in Dine, a Daily Dose of Peace

A Daily Dose of Peace. Each week, I focus on Love, Joy, and Peace in the world languages. February’s second week focuses on words of peace that start with the letter “A” around the word and in Navajo.

The peace and celebration of life in Dine or Navaho peace poetry with Kimberly Burnham Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

A Hózhǫ Celebration

In Dine or Navaho
hózhǫ́ is a happy
celebratory word

“Áchʼįʼ hózhǫ́” is peace
“hózhǫ́” by itself is happy
very good
extremely, well,
very much
and happiness

Happy birthday is
niʼdizhchį́įjįʼ anáhoolzhįįzhígíí baa shił
hózhǫ́; nizhónígo nińdoohąh

“Hózhǫ́ǫgo nińdoohah”
happy new year
with “hózhǫ́ǫgo” alone
happiness and in beauty

“Hozho nahasdlii” is translated
when everything you are
is in balance and
you are living the life
your Creator intended for you

Exercise: Notice the moments today when you feel “Hozho nahasdlii” or when you prompt a smile in someone else.

Originally Published in Peace Poetry Dictionary, The Meaning of Peace and Calm in 5000 Languages on February 22, 2021.