Browse by Title: S

Sherlock

Sherlock is a literary character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the 1880’s. He is a fictional consulting detective for Scotland Yard and is based in London,…

Sherman, Texas

A small town in north-central Texas that was founded in 1846. The town is named after General Sidney Sherman, a leader of the Texas Revolution of 1835, during which…

Shipaulovi, Arizona

Also spelled Sipaulovi, Shipaulovi is one of three villages located on Second Mesa within the larger network and community of the Hopi people who are spread out across…

Shiprock formation, New Mexico

A volcanic rock formation located in San Juan County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation Reservation. The actual rock is approximately 10 miles southwest of the town that…

Shiprock Sub-agency, Shiprock, New Mexico

The Navajo nation is split into seven districts, each with a field station. These stations include Window Rock, Arizona (1); Shiprock, New Mexico (2); Crownpoint, New…

Shiprock, New Mexico

Shiprock is named after the nearby volcanic rock formation known in Navajo as Tse Bit'a'I, or "winged rock." It lies at the junction of U.S. Highways 64 and 491 and is…

Shiwani

For the A'shiwi or Zuni, the word "shiwani" means priest, and usually references a rain priest. Shiwani or Shiwona is also the husband of Shiwaonokia, and one of the…

Shiwanokia

Prominent in the origin lore of the Zunis, Shiwanokia, or Mother-Moon, is the main consort of the god Shiwani. Known as the priestess of fertility, Shiwanokia created…

Shongopovi

One of three Hopi villages on the Second Mesa, located on the southwestern side of the mesa. There are at least 57 known spellings for the name of this village, but the…

Shooting Way

Also spelled "Shootingway," the Shooting Way is a curing ceremonial complex from the Holyway classification that is performed to heal the patient’s sickness and restore…

Short Mountain Territory, Arizona

Short Mountain is a fictional area that Tony Hillerman describes as extremely empty and barren. It is located east of Tuba City near Black Mesa, Arizona.

Short Mountain Trading Post, Arizona

The Short Mountain Trading Post is a fictional landmark landmark located in the extremely barren area of Short Mountain Territory, also fictional, east of Tuba City…

short-barreled rifle

A type of rifle that is less than 26 inches in overall length, or that has a barrel shorter than 16 inches. This weapon is fired from the shoulder. A short-barreled…

shoulder holster

Generally made of leather or canvas, a shoulder holster is sling for a firearm that is worn around the shoulder, with the gun resting just under the armpit area. If…

Shulawitsi

Also known as the Little Fire God, Shulawitsi is an important spiritual figure in the Zuni pueblo tradition. Personated by a young boy of the Badger Clan, this figure’s…

Sichomovi, Arizona

One of the three Hopi villages on First Mesa, which is part of the Hopi Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The village was established in 1750 by members of…

Sikyatki, Arizona

A site of ancient Hopi village ruins, located in the southern portion of First Mesa on the Hopi Reservation in Northern Arizona. The site is probably more well-known…

silencer

A cylindrical device that attaches to the end of a barrel of a gun and muffles the loud noise of a fired shot. A silencer works by adding volume to the short, narrow…

silica

A chemical compound also known as silicon dioxide (SiO2). Silica is the most common element in the earth’s crust and can be a main component of many rock types, such as…

silt

Fine sand or soil that is deposited as sediment after being carried by water, for example a river or a creek.

silver

Although many indigenous groups in the U.S. Southwest are considered master jewelry makers and silversmiths, with unique designs and methods to their credit,…

silver dollar

A dollar coin that was originally made of silver in Europe, and was first issued by the royalty of England and Scotland in the 16th century. The United States of…

silver service

A set of serving and dining dishes made of silver, usually containing a large urn or bowl, goblets, plates, and often utensils as well. Silver dishes are uses for…

sinewy

Sinew is the strong, stringy tissue in the body that connects muscles and bones, and sinewy is an adjective describing a tough, organic, stringy object. When describing…

sing

A sing is another way of referring to something as formal as a Navajo healing ceremony, as well as something as intimate as an individual prayer, because the use of…