Her hands 'in motion', working 'in Beauty.'

Masani's hands at woven sash belt
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie
2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Lately, my mind has been immersed in the process of my Navajo people's cultural way of weaving rugs.  My late great matriarch Louise Begay Werito was an avid, master weaver, she was known for her "eye dazzler" designs - with that vivid red wool intermingled with the lighter hues of greys and black.  Growing up, we grandchildren were blessed to be in the immediate company of our maternal great grandparents at their home in Huerfano, NM in northwest New Mexico.

I remember the scene of their 'living' room area, the wood stove sitting in the north, and their vintage couches on either sides of the room.  The house door was set in the east.  This home is forever plaqued on my heart.  When I think of the great love that dwelled in the the reservation home of my great grandparents, I know I was safe.  Both my grandparents were forever busy with their hands. And it was taught that one must not be idle, or lazy, they instilled in us that we are human beings with ten fingers and hands that were capable of 'creating' things, 'beautyful' things.

Today as an adult, as an artist I hold both their teachings close to my spirit. The words and expressions that they shared with each of us grandchildren were sacred.  I understand and appreciate this now and it keeps me steadfast in my endeavors as a professional woman artist.

In 2018 my life is blessed too, I am daily in the company of my 87 year-old masani, my maternal grandmother, but she is is my 'mother' too. During my days with her I observe her, how she is constantly 'busy' with her hands.  The photo capture above is one I share as it illustrates her hands in motion, working 'in Beauty.' In this image she is making tassels for the pictured Navajo-made sash belt.  As she twists the wool yarn pieces she expresses how Navajos should "always finish their belts with the tassel work."  Its a task that asks the maker for great patience, but it too is a way to soothe the spirit in the process of twisting yarn and joining them together.

As Navajos in the new century I am very aware of how resilient we are. How we are generally steadfast in keeping our culture and language breathing and alive.  This conscious act IS the 'Beautyway' ceremony of our ways of being.  We may not always be adorned and dressed in our regal tribal regalia and jewelry, but we are keeping our ancestral cultural ways 'alive!' no mater how small the task or conversation is.

Book of Navajo rugs
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie
2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

As she does her matriarch task, I sit on the other side of the kitchen table looking at a well-known publication about the tradition of Navajo weaving and historical rugs. The 'ol school' works of Navajo art is profound! We, our Navajo matriarchs were (and are) amazing artists.  Our work was conceptual before American culture even knew anything about art. Our Navajo art, via the Navajo-woven rugs, were beyond 'beautyful' - for the each told a story, the story of Us as Navajos, each piece carried and continue to carry the narrative of our strength, our life as Creator's children, our voices, songs and prayers...  I cannot fully explain the goodness of spirit I feel when I look at these rugs, but I know jsut by 'seeing' them I am being blessed by my ancestors.

Blessed
(posted 01-29-18)
Eastern Navajoland, NM USA