critical analysis.historial photo of Diné.male adornment.



Historical photo of a Navajo elder man circa 1900.



This is very profound photograph. The contents of the people portrayed in it are significant for they tell a story in a visual way.  As a researcher I have done many critical analysis of historical photographs for the purpose of finding and re-telling story of the Indigenous groups and individual people photographed by non-Indigenous persons. I find this photograph very strong in that it depicts a Diné  elderly man ADORNED in his finest Diné  jewelry and traditional clothing.

HEADDRESS........ In his seated position we can see that he is ADORNED as he wears a traditional Diné mens war headdress.  Historically such head coverings where made from dearskin finished with silver pendants and usually topped with turkey feathers. SHIRT.....This elder is looks to be wearing a velveteen shirt with a madarin-type collar, the upper arm sleeves and front on his shirt include silver-type ornaments, a practice that was standared in many early tradional clothing for men and women. JEWELRY.....He is wearing various strung bead necklaces. Most likely the beads were made of turquiose,abalone, whie shell or  heishe shell and or coral shell.  He is also wearing  two silver band rings and silver bracelet on his right hand and wrist.  SHOES......This Diné man is wearing traditional moccasins that are knee-length and look to have silver ornaments down the outer sides of his legs. He has wool-woven sash type weaving wrapped about the upper part of his leg.

Overall, this  Diné  man is surely regal as he sits ADORNED in his finest. I see how he iminates powerful of will, strength and all things good.

What I find very interesting as a researcher is the man who sits beside the elder man to the right. Since this is an era of the Indian Boarding School my thought is that this man may be a product of the education system therefore, we see a Diné  man in full assimilation. He sits there so plain in his white collar shirt, and combed hair with not sign of traditional tribal adornment. What a contrast indeed from the elder and also from the two childred seated, which both are stil ADORNED in Diné attire.

Overall, such a powerful photograph.

-venaya