Matriarchland. Indigenous Adornment.Happiness & Beauty All Around. Be Matriarch.

Created as an homage to my desert ancestors, I focus on the historical significance of Indigenous southwestern tribal adornment culture and the perpetuation of those adornment practices perpetuated into the 21st century. In honor of my Navajo & Hopi Pueblo People & my ancestral matriarchs, and male relatives who adorned themselves with elements of the earth. Be Matriarch. Hózhó Nashá- Beauty all Around. Venaya Yazzie

Monday, October 13, 2014

Indigenous Adornment is my way

Navajo/Hopi Artist Venaya Yazzie

I adorn myself to perpetuate the legacy of my ancestors. I adorn myself for protection and happiness.
I adorn myself to continue Indigenous survival.

Santo Domingo Pueblo-style

Speaking of Indigenous earring adornments, these pictured earrings are the newest pair I have added to my collection.

Every year, when the annual Northern Navajo Fair rolls around, Shiprock, N.M. becomes a major Indigenous trading hub. It is a divine time, when many of the areas Indigenous tribal people gather at the cultural event to celebrate their unique ways of being. It is a time when I begin my family's tradition of early a.m. trek to the Navajo reservation.

I love the 'hunt' in which I initiate the journey of discovering the most beautiful and unique Indigenous jewelry, and or earrings to add to my collection. Every year I make an effort to look for my Pueblo brothers and sisters who make their cultural jewelry pieces, and every year I find exquisite beauty!