Data from a 1942 field study & other sources were used to study patterns in 33 Navajo suicides. Only 4 cases involved women. The method of suicide appeared to be dictated by availability of means. Two principal motives for suicide were interpersonal problems/grief & avoidance of the consequences of crime or illness. It was found that suicide was not condoned, but neither was it greatly condemned. Beliefs about the spirit of a suicide are discussed. (8 refs.)