ive read this story over five times and still don't really get the meaning of bia's dream help plzz
RED MESA, Arizona (Achieve3000, July 21, 2007). Although she grew up as a Diné, the term Navajo members use to describe their nation, young Andrethia Bia measured her success according to Western standards. As a child, Bia was raised in a traditional manner and spent most of her time with her late grandmother, Mary Kitseally, helping her with her sheep and watching her weave. Bia's childhood was filled with listening to Diné ideas about life. She grew up speaking Navajo.
During high school, Bia was active in school activities, including athletics and the student council. She even served as student council vice president. At 18, she accepted a scholarship to the College of Eastern Utah in Blanding. Bia went on to study and work in Utah and Arizona, and taught at the Salt River reservation. She continued to surround herself with other members of her community, even as she worked and raised her two sons. Then, a vague uneasiness kept bothering her. She longed to know more about her culture.
"There was a part of me that wasn't right," Bia said. And so she made the difficult decision to return to her homeland. Bia's decision runs counter to U.S. trends, which have seen the population of the Navajo nation decline. Many young people are seeking opportunities elsewhere. If this trend continues, by 2012 about half of the Navajo people will live outside of the Navajo nation.
Bia has since returned to her homeland. She is learning Navajo skills such as weaving. She also began classes at Diné College. She is working toward a degree in elementary education. Diné College is the first college in the country established by Native Americans for Native American education.
One night, Bia dreamed that she hugged her grandmother, then in a nursing home, and talked to her in the Navajo language. Bia shared the dream with her mother and with her weaving teacher. They told her to visit her grandmother and tell the woman about the dream. Bia took their advice. "The reason I came to [you] is because I am waiting for your rug," Bia's grandmother said. The elder woman explained that her journey to the next world would only continue after the rug was completed. Initially, Bia did not want to finish the project. She feared that her grandmother would die once the rug was finished. But a month later, Bia completed the rug. Soon after, Bia's grandmother died.
Thinking back, Bia admits she once felt her Navajo culture held little importance. Now, the best parts of her busy day are the moments she spends with the elders and her children.
"They [elders] want somebody around them to share their [beliefs and ideas] with them," Bia said. "I'm not embarrassed to say I started [learning] last year. You're never too old, and it's never too late."
Her grandmother told Bia that she appeared to her in the dream to give her a message. "The reason I came to [you] is because I am waiting for your rug," Bia's grandmother said. She added that she couldn't die until Bia finished the rug.
At that point, Bia accepted the Navajo beliefs and embraced her culture.
so bia wasn't sure if she wanted to be apart of her culture at first until she had that dream ? so after she had the dream and finish her rug and her grandma passed right after it was complete she felt the navajo beliefs were real and wanted to be apart of her culture now ??
Right!
ok thanks !!!
You are welcome.
The meaning of Bia's dream in this story can be interpreted as a symbol of Bia's reconnection with her Navajo culture and the importance of honoring her heritage.
To understand the meaning of the dream, it is essential to consider the context provided in the story. Bia grew up in a traditional Diné environment, but as she entered high school and later college, she became more disconnected from her culture and focused on Western standards of success. However, she starts feeling a sense of uneasiness and realizes that something is missing. This prompts her to make the decision to return to her homeland and reconnect with her Navajo roots.
In the dream, she hugs her grandmother, who is in a nursing home, and talks to her in the Navajo language. This dream represents a connection with her grandmother and the Navajo culture. Bia shares this dream with her mother and weaving teacher, and they encourage her to visit her grandmother and tell her about the dream. When Bia visits her grandmother, she learns that her grandmother's journey to the next world could only continue after the completion of a weaving project.
Initially, Bia is hesitant and fears that her grandmother will die once the rug is finished. However, she eventually completes the rug, and shortly after, her grandmother passes away. Through this experience, Bia realizes the importance of her Navajo culture and her connection with her elders. She starts valuing the moments she spends with the elders and her children, as they offer her the opportunity to learn, share beliefs, and immerse herself in her culture.
The underlying meaning of Bia's dream, therefore, is the significance of reconnecting with one's cultural heritage and the wisdom and teachings that can be gained from the older generations. The dream acts as a catalyst for Bia's journey of rediscovery and ultimately leads her to embrace her Navajo culture and find fulfillment in her cultural identity.