Navajo Weavers
Navajo Country - NW New Mexico
For Kathy Wise, Executive Editor
Cowboys & Indians
A significant landmark on the Navajo reservation, Shiprock is considered sacred by the Navajo who call it "Tse Bitai" meaning "Winged Rock."A significant landmark on the Navajo reservation, Shiprock is considered sacred by the Navajo who call it "Tse Bitai" meaning "Winged Rock."Four foot tall doorways lead through Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Pueblo Bonito is the largest of the great houses in Chaco Canyon and was occupied from the mid-800s to the 1200s. (First publication rights of similar photo given to Western Art & Architecture, Fall 2009)Shadows accent the four foot tall doorways that lead through Pueblo Bonito, the center of the Chacoan world. Pueblo Bonito is the largest of the great houses in Chaco Canyon and was occupied from the mid-800s to the 1200s.Chaco Culture National Historic Park preserves one of America's most significant precolumbian cultural and historic areas. Chaco Canyon, with the largest great house Pueblo Bonito pictured here, was a major center for Ancient Pueblo Peoples.This petroglyph of a male deity, possibly Monster Slayer, with feather headdress holding a bow and rattle is located in the backcountry of Northwest New Mexico. Dated roughly AD 1650-1770. (First publication rights given to Western Art & Architecture, Fall 2009)This petroglyph of a male Navajo deity, possibly Talking God, who was an advocate for mankind and leader of the Night Chant is located in the backcountry of Northwest New Mexico. Dated roughly AD 1650-1750.
Trading Posts
Navajo Master Weavers
Dead pawn Navajo jewelry is displayed on a vintage Navajo rug at the Fifth Generation Trading Post in downtown Farmington, New Mexico. A vintage Navajo rug lines the back of a wagon at the Hogback Trading Post near Farmington in New Mexico's Northwest region.Tom Wheeler, owner and fourth generation trader of Hogback Trading Post shares the history of Navajo weaving. The Toadlena Trading Post and Weaving Museum, owned by trader Mark Winter, is a grocery, post office, bank and cultural center for the region as well as an ideal place to purchase highly sought after Two Grey Hills textiles by Master Weavers affectionately referred to as "Shima" - Grandmother.The Toadlena Trading Post in Newcomb, New Mexico provides for the needs of the local Navajo weavers and residents. Groceries are purchased, rugs woven and hugs exchanged at this remote trading post on the Navajo reservation. (First publication rights given to WA&A, Fall 2009)A palette of Two Grey Hills natural Navajo rugs is for sale at the Toadlena Trading Post in Newcomb, New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation."The Navajo" sign hangs proudly in the Toadlena Trading Post in Newcomb, New Mexico.Two Grey Hills Trading Post is an historic century-old Trading Post on the Navajo Reservation located in Tohatchi, New Mexico.Although many weavers spin their own wool, natural wool is available for purchase at the Two Grey Hills Trading Post on the Navajo Reservation.
Navajo Rugs
Two Grey Hills Navajo rugs are made of hand spun yarn from naturally colored local sheep in the shades of brown, grey, black and white. This rug is from the Two Grey Hills Trading Post in Tohatchi, New Mexico.A Navajo Yei rug is displayed at the Hogback Trading Post in Hogback, New Mexico.A woven Navajo rug announces Tom Wheeler's Hogback Trading Post near Farmington, New Mexico."Teec Nos Pos" Navajo weaving, Farmington Museum, Farmington, New Mexico"Storm pattern with Teec Influence" Navajo weaving, Farmington Museum, Farmington, New Mexico(Caption information can be obtained from the Farmington Museum in Farmington, New Mexico upon request.)Detail "Wide Ruins" Navajo weaving, Farmington Museum, Farmington, New Mexico
Grandmother Master Weavers, Virginia Deal and Ella Shorty greet each other at the Toadlena Trading Post in Newcomb, New Mexico. (First publication rights given to WA&A, Fall 2009.)Navajo Master Weaver Virginia Deal spins wool on a spindle at the remote Toadlena Trading Post in Northwest New Mexico.Navajo Master Weaver Evelyn George greets Master Weaver and friend Virginia Deal at Evelyn's home near Shiprock. Master Navajo Weaver Evelyn George kneels on a cushion before the loom in her bedroom. (First publication rights given to WA&A, Fall 2009.)Legend states that Spider Woman first taught the Navajo women to weave on a loom. Master Weaver Evelyn George creates a rug with the wool from her beloved sheep. (First publication rights given to WA&A, Fall 2009.)Legend states that Spider Woman first taught the Navajo women to weave on a loom. Master Weaver Evelyn George creates a rug with the wool from her beloved sheep. Navajo Master Weaver Evelyn George weaves with the batten she carved by hand.Navajo loomMaster Weaver Evelyn George herds her 76 sheep in 60 MPH winds. (First publication rights given to WA&A, Fall 2009.) Master Weaver Evelyn George herds her 76 sheep in 60 MPH wind storm in Northwest New Mexico.A flock of sheep is owned and cared for by Master Weaver Evelyn George. Evelyn's home and hogan lie beyond the pen. The sheep belonging to Master Weaver Evelyn George are the colors of Two Grey Hills rugs. Master Weaver Evelyn George herds her flock of sheep in the bracing winds of Northwest New Mexico.Master Weaver Evelyn George reveals her coveted wool wrapped in sheets on the earthen floor of her cermonial Hogan. Master Weaver Evelyn George cleans, cards and weaves the wool from her flock of sheep. The colors are that of a prized Two Grey Hills rug.Master Weaver Evelyn George caresses her highly prized "golden fleece" as she recounts the traditional spider web blessing ceremony performed on Navajo baby girls.Navajo Master Weaver Evelyn George crosses her yard to check on her 76 sheep during a 60 MPH windstorm in Northwest New Mexico.Fingers fly as Navajo Master Weaver Evelyn George works at the loom on her bedroom floor. Evelyn raises her own sheep and harvests and prepares the wool for her beautiful weavings.Navajo Master Weavers and friends, Evelyn George and Virginia Deal visit quietly on Evelyn's bed at her home near Shiprock, New Mexico.Finely spun by Master Weaver Virginia Deal, the yarn will make a prized Two Grey Hills rug by this purportedly best living Navajo Weaver.