Reznet

My Children's Umbilical Cords

By Christie Cooke

In Diné culture, it is said that when the dried piece of the umbilical cord falls off of a baby's belly button, his/her parent or grandparent should bury it back in the Mother Earth, near a place of significance to symbolize value and importance in the future of the baby's life. More importantly, it is one's connection to Mother Earth.

I have heard the tiny piece of umbilical cord should be buried near one's hogan (a Diné traditional home) so he/she will always return home. Or bury the umbilical cord in one's sheep corral to bring many sheep in his/her life symbolizing wealth and livelihood.

If this is not done, it is also said that your children tend to wander or dig around in random places in search of their umbilical cords.

Emma and Edward dig and snoop in my purse. Their habit is constant, and I wonder about the truth in this Diné saying about umbilical cords.

I admit, though, I have not buried their cords. They are preserved in a small plastic sandwich bag awaiting burial.

I'd like to bury my children's umbilical cords in a place of significance. I imagine all the modest and special places that many Diné children's cords have been buried, over hundreds of years, since it is said that Diné life commences from the beginning of time.

My children's cords will be buried on the rez, at grandma's house, probably under the peach tree or in the cornfield.

I don't know why, but this is where it's supposed to be.

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Read Christie Cooke's previous Native Moms blog, "Emma's Home" 

Christie Cooke, Navajo, has a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona. She is a graduate of the Freedom Forum's 2007 American Indian Journalism Institute.

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