Nayenezgani : The Monster Slayer
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At a glance
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Navajo Mythology |
| Classification | Mortals |
| Family Members | Changing Woman (Mother), Tsohanoai (Father), Tobadzischini (Brother) |
| Region | United States of America |
| Associated With | Monster Slayer |
Nayenezgani
Introduction
Nayenezgani is a mythical hero from the Navajo mythology and is considered to be the god of war although he has gained prominence as the slayer of the monster Anaye.
Physical Traits
Nayenezgani is depicted as the polar opposite of his brother in appearance who is described as dark and moist. He tends to take attributes from his father the Sun God and is considered to be fair and bright in his appearance. He is also believed to be not very heavily built but had immense strength and courage.
Family
Nayenezgani is believed to be the son of the Changing Woman who is also referred to as The White-Painted Woman or The White Shell Woman. His father is said to be the Sun God, Tsohanoai.
He also had a twin brother Tobadzischini, although it is commonly said that Nayenezgani is the first born among the two.
Other Names
He is also known as “The Monster Slayer” or “The Killer of Enemies”.
Powers and Abilities
His father and the Sun God, Tsohanoai, gave him powerful arms, including a chain-lightning arrow, a sheet-lightning arrow, a sunbeam arrow, and a rainbow arrow to kill his enemies
Modern Day Influence
In the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe on television, Nayenezgani appears as one of the slayers before Buffy. He has briefly been mentioned in both Thor and Wonder Woman comics as apart of the Navajo pantheon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Navajo god of war?
Navajo don’t have a singular war god, but the hero Nayenezgani, slayer of monstrous giants, often fills that role.
What is the name of the Navajo monster?
There’s not just one! “Naayééʼ” refers to a whole class of Navajo monsters, so specific names depend on the monster’s form and story. Yéʼiitsoh, the giant, and Teelget, the horned beast, are just two fearsome examples.
What is the Navajo twin myth?
Born from Sun and Changing Woman, Monster Slayer and Born-of-Water slay fearsome giants, bring rain, and teach the Diné harmony, battling chaos with lightning and sunbeams.
Who are the hero twins in Navajo mythology?
Monster Slayer and Born-of-Water, twin sons of the Sun, born to vanquish monstrous threats and bless the Diné (Navajo) people!
Who is the slayer of the alien gods?
That name belongs to Nayenezgani, Navajo hero, wielding thunder against monstrous sky beings threatening the world!