Navajo Hogans

The traditional Navajo home is called a hogan. Hogans were round and made of forked sticks. These sticks were covered with brush,  dried earth, animal hides, and whatever else was available. The front door always faced east to catch the first light of day. Hogans were made with only one room. A traditional hogan might have tables, chairs, beds and a wood-burning stove. Outside the hogan was a loom for weaving. It stayed outside always, except in winter when the weather turned cold.  A corral for sheep was close by the Navajo home.

Click on each picture below to see more examples of hogans. The last picture shows the inside of a hogan.

Photo Credit Line:
Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library

Click here to read more about the hogan and what the Navajo believed about the building of these homes.

  Journal Entry:

 Describe the Navajo homes in the section of your journal that tells you to do so.