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| Navajo elder woman with Squash Blossom Turquoise and Silver necklace. (Source: Google Images) |
This photograph of an elder Dine' woman is extraordinary in its simple content. The photograph is quite amazing in my opinion, with perfect composition and space its worthy of a prize.
The woman Navajo and would be regarded as a matriarch and would be held in high esteem and therefore called, 'ama saani'....she is 'grandmother.' In the world of the Dine' most elders are regarded as grandmother or grandfather even if they are not related through bloodline to an individual. Becuase of the Navajo clanship relationships many people are related. When addressing a Navajo elder, one should called them "Masani" or "Cheii" as a sign of respect and honor.
In reference to the photograph, the woman is ADORNED with a "squash blossom" necklace as it is known by mainstream culture that is primarily turquoise. Historically the middle half-moon pendant was worn alone on a woven string and by men. As the Navajos came to make more jewelry designed to be asthetically pleasing to buyers and collectors the side pendants, silver beads and turquoise were added in the 20th century era.
Many non-Indigenous scholars claim that the Navajo silversmiths were inspired to make the side "blossoms" after they seen pomegrante plants....but, that is quite silly as such plants do not, or have never grown in the desert southwest. Instead, its more likely Navajo artists were depicting the desert flora and faun in flower blossoms of the squash plants that were planted by Navajo farmers.
I will share more about the truly original Navajo Squash Blossom necklace soon.
