'Hogan Poetry' - Dine'tah, NM

New Mexico Poet, Venaya Yazzie at San Juan College Library

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p o e t r y

as it is called is the n a r r a t i v e of a human life - it is pure expression of that tangible experience of living.

p o e t r y

for the Dine' individual concerns history, and prayer mixed with song. it is not the poetry that america knows it - it is deeper, more meaning full, and truth. 

➕4me it is hané mixed w/yiin: story & song

➕4me it is perpetuation of being, of Iiná

➕even when i am just listening & absorbing the sounds of words: its dimensional

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                                             . . . .

Last week on Thursday night my path met up once again with two of my fellow Dine' sisters and poets: Tina Deschenie and Esther Belin.  As a Dine' woman I hold these two women in high esteem and refer to them has my 'cousin sisters' a loving expression among the female community of Navajo people.

The gathering brought together the community of people in Farmington who have adoration for the Literary Arts. The theme of our combined works seems to center around our fathers and the always, the land. Poetry is a type of medicinal concept for many people, and for me it sis truth.  I write because I need to and also because it helps me to remember my life moments are meaningful.

All and all the night of Navajo Poetry was 'beautyful' indeed.

Blessings all around.

vjy

#hoganpoetry#navajo#woman#poetsw#505life

Voice of Navajo Poets - SJC poetry reading

Voices of Navajo Poets announcement

Venaya Yazzie, Esther Belin, Tina Deschenie

Sponsored by the Northwest New Mexico Arts Council, San Juan College Native American Center and Library the Voices of Navajo Poets took place on Thursday, November 14, 2019 in Farmington, NM.  The invited poet matriarchs included:

Tina Deshchenie, Crystal, NM

Esther Belin, Bayfield, CO

Venaya Yazzie, Huerfano, NM

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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