Navajo (Diné)

Native to the desert Southwest, the Navajo nation remains one of the largest Native American tribes in existence. Calling themselves “Dine,” which means “the people,” the Navajo share a common ancestral heritage with their neighbors, the Apache. The Navajo traditionally dwelt in homes called hogans, constructed of logs, tree bark, and mud. Within Navajo religion, the hogan is a sacred place, used for ceremonies as well as daily living. The Navajo are a very creative and artistic people, evidenced by their skills in silversmithing and pottery. They are noted for their sense of humor and love of laughter - in fact, the first time a Navajo child laughs out loud is cause for family celebration. In the 1600s, the Navajo began to use the horses brought to the continent by the Spanish. The horse quickly became a key part of their economy and military strategy. The first recorded instance where Native Americans used horses was in 1659, when the Spanish Governor of the New Mexico colony noted an attack by Navajo warriors on horseback. During War World II, the U.S. Marine Corps used the Navajo language as a secret code to baffle enemy forces in the South Pacific. The Navajo tongue is extremely complex and was learned by few outside the tribe. The code was never cracked and proved extremely valuable, particularly during the battle of Iwo Jima.

From the game's History encyclopedia, AoE3: DE 100.19.18309.