Matriarchland. Indigenous Adornment.Happiness & Beauty All Around. Be Matriarch.: 2018-12-09

Thursday, December 13, 2018

The beauty of our Indigenous ways

The simplicity of our Indigenous female existence is priceless!

I love to view and study the historic photographs of my southwest tribal people: Hopi and Navajo. We are resilient human beings, we've endured many hardships and much turmoil, yet we continue to be strong in our cultural heritage and ways of being. I love this image for many reasons...

First, is that it shows that mother/grandmother/matriarch and young girl bond.

Second, the image shows the historic method of Hopi Pueblo women's hair tying.

Thirdly, it show the tribal women's garments of that time.

Lastly, it depict their Indigenous Adornment via their tribal jewelry pieces.

Our southwestern Indigenous people are so fascinating, everything we do and make is connected to a very spiritually-rooted place, in this way we know we are protected.

Much Blessings.

VJY

Those ribbon-inspired full length skirts!

Our Creator-gifted ways

All across 'Indin'country' we are all inspired by the cultural items that we make. We are a diverse community of Indigenous people and thus make wearable items that reflect our rich Native cultures. From the Canadian reserves to the beautyful peoples of South America - many of us have great respect for one another.

The recent trend in the skirt-making activity has spread across Indin' Country. The long length women's ribbon skirt one of those creations that every seems to adore. Having made cultural regalia through the years I have also made these skirts. I have included these image so showcase my work below.

Ribbon-inspired full length skirts made
by Venaya.
Photo: Venaya Yazzie 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

By request I have made several versions of this ribbon skirt, and from that I was inspired to continue this work. I am not fully sure of where the skirt originated in Indin' Country but I am leaning toward the people of the powwow circles. Ribbon is a material that is in high use in making different powwow clothing.

But, overall, tribal people use a plethora of westernized materials to make truly unique culturally styled garments and accessories. The Dine' people of the Four Corners area use mostly velvet/velveteen and satin material to construct their cultural clothing pieces. The Apache people in the Dulce, NM community use plenty of cotton calico fabric to make their women's dresses. And the many Pueblo communities of New Mexico use lots of lace and floral printed fabric to make their traditional dresses.

The modern Indigenous people are amazing! I am so in love with our creative collective. We have been highly gifted by Creator God to be able to make our own unique attire. I really believe in the cross-cultural sharing or inspiration that we all seem to share. I know from experience though that it is not appropriate to take and copy tribal designs and iconography. Instead one show find their own inspiration and be inspired by what our Indigenous brothers and sisters are creating.

Keep the creative spirit flowing!

Blessings all around you.

(posted by Venaya Yazzie

12-13-18)