Navajo women and traditional games

Historic photo of Navajo women
Photo source: Internet

This capture is 'beautyful' for many reasons. I first adore this historical photograph because its a true portrayal of tribal desert Navajo women in the late 20th century. They are amidst their Indigenous social behavior via their participation in the Navajo traditional games of chance, this one called the Tsidil, or loosely translated 'Navajo Stick Game.' I have seen this type of game played in my youth while visiting the Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance grounds o the Ute reservation near Cortez, Colorado. It was at that time that the Navajo men and women would play these traditional games together. This game in particular is played by women only, and is rooted in the traditional Navajo origin stories of Creation.

The second reason I love this photo is because it displays honest Navajo women's Indigenous Adornment at its finest. These women are so very 'beautyful' in their Navajo velvet and cotton skirt garments and their fine Navajo silver and turquoise jewlery. They are beauty! As you may notice some of the women wear their traditional scarves on their heads, many elder Navajo women practice this kind of head adornment. Oh, this image is superb and I smile everytime I look at it. It blesses my spirit.

I do not know the origin of this photograph or who took the picture. I found this image on the Internet. If you know, please comment.

Bless.