A skin-walker is a type of harmful witch in Navajo culture. They have the ability to turn into, possess, or disguise themselves as an animal, and the term is never used for healers. Skin-walker stories are not well understood outside of Navajo culture, as traditional Navajo people are reluctant to reveal skin-walker lore to non-Navajos, or to discuss it at all among those they do not trust. Skin-walker stories told among Navajo children may be complete life and death struggles that end in either skin-walker or Navajo killing the other, or partial encounter stories that end in a stalemate. Non-Native interpretations of skin-walker stories often take the form of horror stories or urban legends.
The term "skinwalker" comes from Navajo legend, but the property known as Skinwalker Ranch lies on land traditionally inhabited by the Ute Tribe. The Ute Tribe and Navajo Tribe were in a feud at a time when the Utes were aligned with the United States government and had sold many of their peers into slavery, so the Navajo cursed the property. The skinwalker curse is essentially a witch that has chosen to put on the skin or the form of what can only be described as a giant wolf. Skinwalkers exhibit superhuman agility and strength.
In popular culture, skinwalkers are often depicted as dangerous creatures that can take on the form of any animal, and they are often associated with horror stories or urban legends. However, it is important to note that these depictions are not accurate representations of Navajo culture or beliefs.
