Greeting

Greeting
Each community has their way of greeting one another upon meeting. Most Navajos for example, will shake hands lightly or barely touch at all. Some communities might not shake hands or avoid non-medical contact altogether. The belief is that they do not know who you are and/or do not want “badness” to come to them. Other communities, once they know you, might embrace you and breathe in near your hands to reap “blessings” that have been bestowed upon you (e.g., intelligence, good health, etc.).

http://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/index.cfm?module=awareness