Manuelito and the Navajo Matriarch

Dine' (Navajo) leaders and Matriarch Juanita, wife to Manuelito

As Dine' (Navajo) people I think we have always be aware of our adornment practices. No matter how basic or 'to the nines' we have always been appreciative of our cultural jewelry and apparel.  The significance of such tangible items is a response to our resilience no matter what situation (whether good or bad) we find or have found ourselves.

This image captures the image of two important leaders of the great Navajo Nation in the American southwest. It depicts the late Dine' leader Manuelito and seated to his right is his wife Juanita. Sadly though, I do not know who the other three people standing are or who the photographer is... (if you know please comment).

But back to the image.

Up for discussion is the garments of Navajo Matriarch Juanita.  Besides the reflecting image of her beautiful desert face, she is adorned in simple Dine' women's garments: the biil, or Navajo rug dress.  It is a modest design and I assume it is made with black or brown sheep wool.  She has no evident jewelry pieces but her feet are adorned with the Navajo women's traditional foot gear: moccasins with deer hide wraps.  I love that I can see  her feet/ toes, as her moccasins have really been used.  As for Manuelito, he is wearing a stranded-necklace and headband.  I can see he is sitting with blanket around him and he is also wearing the moccasins of a man.

Indeed this is a great image of that time in history of the Navajo people.

Best blessings to you.

VJYazzie
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