Adams] SHONTO : ROLE OF NAVAHO TRADER 289 



NONRECIPBOCAL BEHAVIOR 



From the trader's own point of view, approved Navaho behavior 

 in the trading post is confined to a special teasing pattern or to 

 matter-of-fact relations. Any deviation from these limits is very 

 likely to provoke an angry reprimand. The trader himself, on the 

 other hand, can and does behave toward Navahos in various other 

 ways which may not be reciprocated. 



Shonto's trader may freely condemn Navahos, publicly or pri- 

 vately, for any behavior which does not meet his approval. In 

 circumstances of extra "provocation" he does not feel it incumbent 

 upon him to hold his temper ; on the contrary he may even simulate 

 anger by way of reinforcing his disapproval. Conversely he can 

 and does openly praise and reward individuals for especially mer- 

 itorious behavior — candy and soda pop being the traditional rewards. 

 These behaviors are, of course, permitted to the trader only. His 

 infallibility is such that Navahos may not presume either to praise 

 or to criticize him. 



In appropriate circumstances the trader may threaten Navahos in 

 a variety of ways. It was noted earlier that the threat of credit 

 refusal is basic to the commercial operation of the trading post, and 

 is never absent from Navaho-trader transactions (see "Book Credit," 

 pp. 188-195). This particular sanction is so constantly associated 

 with the trading post and is so inseparable from it that it seldom has to 

 be verbalized. Whenever necessary or desirable, however, the trader 

 feels free to coerce Navaho behavior into acceptable chamiels by 

 voicing such threats as withdrawal of credit, or refusal to perform 

 any of his various ancillary functions on behalf of the individual 

 involved. 



Particularly in response to drunken and disorderly behavior, the 

 trader may even threaten his Navaho customers with physical vio- 

 lence. Shonto's trader keeps a very large blackjack under the counter 

 for this purpose, and there are also firearms on the premises. On 

 the other hand, the trader never under any circumstances backs up 

 his threats with sanctions other than his own. He is, so far as the 

 community is concerned, capable of dealing with any situation with- 

 out outside assistance, and therefore does not invoke either the police 

 or any other authority in his behalf. 



Finally, Shonto's trader can and does give advice to his Navaho 

 neighbors, freely and often without solicitation, on any and all phases 

 of their relations with the White world. Here again, Navahos may 

 not presume to reciprocate by advising the trader in any way, al- 

 though they may furnish him with helpful information. 



The recognized and approved response to these non-reciprocated 

 behavior patterns are consistent with the overall pattern of Navaho 



