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Overview
After Cold Woman is spared, Wind tells the hero that Poverty still lives. Poverty proves to be two people at Dsildasdzi’ni: an old man and an old woman, dressed in torn garments, in a house without possessions. He addresses them as grandfather and grandmother but tells them he has come to kill them. The pair is one encounter, not two independently described monster types.
The old man argues that their disappearance would leave people wearing the same garments forever. If the couple survives, old clothing will wear out and people will make fresh, handsome clothes and gather possessions. He promises that they will pull the old garments apart. The hero accepts this account and goes home without a trophy. It is the reasoning voiced by a personified pair in this narration; it does not turn actual impoverished people into supernatural enemies.
Origins & earliest records
Matthews published Navaho Legends in 1897. His introduction identifies Hatali Nez as the principal Origin Legend witness, Torlino as Version A and Jake the silversmith as Version B; supplementary matter is distinguished in notes. He used readable rather than strictly literal English and reports winter storytelling restrictions. This published narrative is not a complete ceremonial transcription or every Diné version.
Records & interpretation
Origin Legend paragraphs 364–365. Matthews’s published narration retains the distinction between the principal version and individually credited alternatives.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Navaho Legends: Origin Legend
Origin Legend paragraphs 364–365. Complete selected encounter and conclusion.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary textMatthews 1897: Origin Legend paragraphs 364–365Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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