Hello Friends and Family,

Heard Museum, part 10

Link to the web version by clicking here.

Link to this year's index by clicking here.

From the website "navajo-artist.com" (lightly edited): "Jewelry has been one of the most sacred parts of Navajo culture and holds much significance in modern times. It is believed that they learned the art of jewelry making and silversmithing from the Spanish. Even now, they use many traditional tools and techniques to create exquisite and distinctive pieces. The Navajos believe in teaching such methods and techniques to their children so that the craft gets passed down through generations. Today, many talented artists continue to honor the art of traditional Navajo jewelry making."


(Continuing...) "The history of Navajo jewelry has been influenced by many events over the centuries. In ancient times, the most common form of adornment was stone or wooden beads and sometimes even plant fibers that were woven in different designs."


(Continuing...) "The Navajo people, or the Diné, first started working with silver in the 19th century. It is said that the first Navajo silversmith was a man named Atsidi Sani, who mastered the craft under the tutelage of a Spanish smith in 1853. However, if we were to look at some of the earliest creations, they were mostly made of cheap metals like copper. In the mid-19th century, the US government forced the Navajos into being imprisoned in Bosque Redondo. It is here that they began to experiment more with silver, especially sheet silver."


(From Wikipedia) "A hogan is the primary, traditional dwelling of the Navajo people. Other traditional structures include the summer shelter, the underground home, and the sweat house. A hogan can be round, cone-shaped, multi-sided, or square; with or without internal posts; with walls and roof of timber, packed earth, and stone in varying amounts, and a bark roof for a summer house. The door traditionally faced east to welcome the rising sun, believed to bring good fortune."

"Hogans are also considered pioneers of energy-efficient homes. Using packed mud against the wooden walls, the home was kept cool in summer by natural ventilation and water sprinkled on the packed dirt floor. In winter the fireplace kept the inside warm well into the night, due to the high thermal mass of earth in the construction."

This one was disassembled on the reservation, trucked to Phoenix, and reassembled in the Heard Museum. To me, this hogan gave me a very special feeling as I sat alone inside. Maybe it was from the spirits of all the Diné who have shared that space both on the reservation and here at the Heard Museum.


(From Wikipedia) "A cradleboard is a Native American baby carrier used to keep babies secure and comfortable and at the same time allowing the mothers freedom to work and travel. The cradleboards were attached to the mother's back straps from the shoulder or the head. For travel, cradleboards could be hung on a saddle or travois. Ethnographic tradition indicates that it was common practice to cradleboard newborn children until they were able to walk, although many mothers continued to swaddle their children well past the first birthday."


(Continuing) "Bound and wrapped on a cradleboard, a baby can feel safe and secure. Soft materials such as lichens, moss, and shredded bark were used for cushioning and diapers. Cradleboards were either cut from flat pieces of wood or woven from flexible twigs like willow and hazel, and cushioned with soft, absorbent materials. The design of most cradleboards is a flat surface with the child wrapped tightly to it. It is usually only able to move its head."


(From Wikipedia) Bows and arrows were used by most cultures around the world at some point or another and are at least 8,000 years old. The arrow is crafted, similar to a spear, from a small blade (arrow tip) attached to one end of a wooden shaft. Attached to the other end are feathers that help stabilize the arrow's flight. Overall, an arrow is much smaller and lighter than a spear.


After 1920, fewer weavers made large basketry jars because the demand was not supporting the investment in time and effort. As coiled basketry declined in the 20th century, weavers continued to make twined baskets. These baskets were used in ceremonies and could be produced more quickly for sale. Revitalization efforts continue in Apache communities.


Here we see elaborate handmade pouches with intricate beadwork. Quite impressive.


Here we see a camp shirt together with shoes and boots.


Next is a pair of moccasins with elaborate beadwork. Very nice craftsmanship.


This jacket appears to have been made of deerskin with elaborate trim and ornamental additions.


These items are coming-of-age headwear for girls as they become a woman.


To be continued...

Life is good.

Aloha,
B. David

P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com