By: Karina Chaves

NAVAJO WEAVING

DINETAH NAVAJO NATION

The Navajo Reservation is located in the American Southwest. It spans over parts of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, as the map above shows. There are four sacred mountains that surround the nation that also represent the four directions (North, South, East and West).

Navajo Art • Jewelry – especially Turquoise

• Pottery

• Clothes

• Weaving/Rugs

• Weaving/Baskets

• Paintings

• Sand Painting

Navajo people are world-renowned for their artistic abilities, especially in weaving.

HISTORY OF WEAVING

• According to Navajo Tradition, their people were taught to weave by two “holy ones” called Spider Man and Spider women. There is even a monument in Navajo Nation where Spider Woman supposedly lives, Spider Rock.

• The legend says Spider Man made the first loom of sunshine, lightning and rain. Then Spider Woman taught the Navajo how to weave it. Today, Navajo men are the primary loom-makers and the women are the weavers.

Spider Rock is located in Canyon de Chelly in Chinle, Arizona. Navajo people believe Spider woman lives at the top of Spider Rock (where the white part is).

About 50 Navajo families still live and farm in this canyon.

HISTORY OF WEAVING

• Scholars believe weaving was introduced to the Navajo by the Pueblo people in the 17th century because of the similarities found in Pueblo and Navajo design.

• Woven items such as blankets, rugs and dresses were and still are very functional for everyday life.

MAKING A BLANKET 345 hours (approximately)

• 45 hours to sheer sheep and process wool

• 24 hours to spin wool • 60 hours to prep dye and

dye wool • 215 hours to weave • 1 hour to sell

*These numbers are based on a 1973 study conducted with the Dine Community College

Early Classic Period (- 1804) Navajo were learning techniques from their Pueblo relatives. They began using wool and natural, native dyes in their blankets. The best known example of a blanket from this period is the Massacre Cave Blanket.

Classic Period (1804-1880)

These blankets were made for wearing – they were soft and tightly woven. This period is also known for “Chief Blankets”. They were expensive and often used as gifts for authority figures and Native American leaders.

An international market for rugs and tapestry started to develop at this time, so Navajo weavers began transitions from blankets to rugs. However, in the late 19th century the U.S. government brought French type of sheep to the Navajo people and rug production took a major hit. The wool produced from these sheep was very oily and heavy, and the rugs always appeared dirty.

Early Rug Period (Late 1880’s – 1920)

The demand for good quality rugs continued, so the Navajo began to experiment with different types of vegetable and chemical dyes to enhance color and style. Also, the Navajo Sheep Breeding Laboratory was established near Gallup New Mexico and eventually a breed of sheep with better producing wool was developed.

Rug Revival Period (1920-1940)

The current period of weaving is characterized by region and location. The patterns, color and symbols vary depending on which part of Navajo Nation the weaver is from. However, there are few weavers left today. For the amount of time and energy put into each rug, the pay off is very little. So many weavers have found regular jobs in order to support their families.

Regional Style Rugs (1940 – present)

Even though the economic reality of weaving has forced many Navajo into other occupations, Navajo weaving has become recognized as a major art form.

It is recognized and highly valued in all parts of the world.

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

"A History of Navajo Weaving." Americana Indian Western Shows. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. "Navajo Artwork." Navajo Artwork. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. "Navajo Art." Navajo Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. "Encounter the People." Navajo Tribe, Native Art, Native American Art, Navajo Rugs, Navajo Jewelry. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2015. "Native American Art- Navajo Blanket Weaving." Native American Art- Navajo Blanket Weaving. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2015. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.