Tibetan.Dine' Turquoise Link.

I am continually amazed on the parallels and direct links that exist culturally between the Dine' Naiton of the American southwest and the Tibetan people of Asia!

Astounding!

Lately I have been researching this topic and have found great things!

The most exciting knowledge gained is that the Tibetan use/used TURQUOISE as a weapon.
So ADORNMENT was like putting on armor....what a thought to ponder. The faith of the people of Tibet
is much like the faith of the Dine'.

This quote took and held my attention:

"The tenacity of the gem was utilised most effectively b the Tibetan hero Gesar who fashioned his arrowheads from the finest turquoise."

Thankful.

vj

Dine'.Male Historical Adornment

Dine' males. Three generations of Indigenous adornment.
Internet photograph via Google.

This historical photograph showcases desert southwestern INDIGENOUS male ADORNMENT.

The three generations of these picture males are Dine' (Navajo) tribal members who are wearing early 1900s tribal regalia. This era in Navajo history is what many tribal people call Post-Long Walk, the time lived after the forced exodus and incarceration and release of Navajos as prisoners of war in American society.

After the infamous Long Walk the tribal regalia of the Dine' changed tremendously. Before the exodus the Navajo still wore garments made of buckskin and for many women, they wore woven dresses. After the Navajo returned they brought cotton and poly-cotton materials back to their homelands. Among the various European fabric was the inclusion of Velveteen material, which the Navajo women held in high esteem for its shining, vibrant reflection.

This photograph showcases the men wearing cotton pants, including the popular calico cotton fabric which the boy is wearing. They are wearing long-sleeved velvet shirts ADORNED with silver button accents, each is ADORNED in silver concho-inspired belts around their waists and each of the males are wearing the traditional Indigenous foot wear via their moccasins.

Each is wearing traditional head-wear. The elder Dine' man on the left is ADORNED in a Dine' men's war-bonnet or chief-bonnet, which is likely made of buckskin and turkey feathers. The other two men are wearing headbands probably made of cotton fabric.

Also, the two men on the left are ADORNED with traditional Dine' male satchels which is worn on the side of the hip. The satchels are usually made with a thick, cow leather or buckskin and ADORNED with silver buttons.

They are standing upon a Navajo-woven rug made in the design of the era.

Overall, this is a great historical photograph that tells much in its depiction of Navajo male ADORNMENT.

Blessings. 

SW Indigenous. Trade.

Four-string necklace
Photo by VENAYA YAZZIE 2013

The perpetuation of southwestern Indigenous trade is ongoing in the 21st century with many desert peoples. Historically the Pueblo, Navajo, Apache and the Native people of Mexico and the Baha of southern California have traded earth mineral and plant materials with each other via a bartering system.

The Navajo of New Mexico continue this tradition with their Pueblo neighbors including the: Jemez Pueblo, Kewa Pueblo and the communities of Laguna and Acoma. Most likely the trade items including materials used for making jewelry items, but this also includes the trade of food items.

I made this four-strand necklace item (pictured above) after I acquired the abalone shell beads from a tribal member from Walatow (Jemez) Pueblo. I traded some woven goods for a batch of various beads including heishe shell, which I use as "spacer" in making necklaces with turquoise.

I have mixed the turquoise stone with heishe shell beads and squared abalone shell beads in making this item. I was inspired to make this piece after I saw an elder Dine' woman's necklace in Shiprock. Her necklace was more ancient-looking, and more of a mix of mother-of-pearl shell beads.

The materials involved in making this necklace originated in two places. The turquoise developed in the dry, desert lands of the southwest, whereas the abalone shell originated from the ocean region.

The trade involved in this necklace speaks volumes about INDIGENOUS ADORNMENT but most especially INDIGENOUS trade in the southwest.

Blessings.

Ring.Bug Ring.

Bug ring.
Photo by VJ Yazzie

This recent purchase was made in Gallup, New Mexico. My aunt bought this ring for me for my birthday in September. I just fell in love with this bug, or choosh (bug) ring. The inspiration for this piece seems to have been a lady bug. Its made of sterling silver, black onyx and turquoise.I ADORN my hands in the fall season, with happiness.

Rectangular Inlay Earrings With Spiny Oyster Square



Mosaic Inlay Earrings made  by Mary Coriz Lovato

 I found these Pueblo style earrings on the Santa Fe Shiprock Gallery website. They are made by Kewa artist Mary C. Lovato. Truly lovely earrings!

Bio from the wesite:

Mary Coriz Lovato, daughter of Santiago Leo Coriz, was born to the Corn Clan. Besides raising five sons to become accomplished silversmiths, Mary finds time to turn out some of the finest Indian jewelry found today. Mary's forte is inlaid shell earrings and pendants, a blend of the contemporary and the traditional.

Her work has become the standard by which shell inlaid jewelry is measured. Slivers of turquoise, pipestone, serpentine, coral, jet and mother-of-pearl reflect the colors of the Sun's glow.

Since time immemorial, the Santo Domingo Pueblo has traded seashells from the Gulf of California and the Pacific over regular trade routes. Pendants cut from the glossy shells in various forms were overlaid with designs in abalone, jet and turquoise.

Since the 1860's, craftsmen have created "traditional" silver jewelry. In the 1960's a "new look" in Indian jewelry emerged. And new work being done today has a quality all of its own. It's not like the old stuff...it's better!

For more info visit: http://www.shiprocksantafe.com/beta/items/view/22219

Kewa.Mosiac.Inlay.Earrings




Earrings from Kewa Pueblo
Photo by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 
These earrings are so beautiful!
I was able to purchase these earrings directly from the maker on a visit to the winter feast days at Ohkay Owingeh, which is the Tewa expression for San Juan Pueblo reservation.

The earrings were made by a young man from Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo) which is located in northern New Mexico halfway between Albquerque and Santa Fe. During this time I was able to talk with the artist and ask about the earrings. He explained that they are made in the tradition of Kewa jewerly makers using on authentic earth elements.

These earring are made in the Indigenous jewelry way of mosaic inlay. For this particular pair of earrings the Pueblo maker used materials including: clam shell, mother of pearl shell, onyx, turquoise and silver.

As you can see the entire earring is made using the halved clam shell as the main foundation of the piece. They then inlaid atop the shell using symbolic geometric designs as they applied the various elements.

These earrings are among my treasures in my jewelry collection. I ADORN myself and wear them in times of celebration and during gallery openings. Truly, many of the the Kewa Pueblo people  have a spectacular Indigenous designs to ADORN the People!

Doll making.Dine style.

Doll Adorned.
Photo By Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

My grandmother and I designed and made the cultural clothing and jewelry ADORNMENT itesmf or this doll. she is dressed in the Navajo style of womens' colthing.

It was a blessing doing this project with her. During the making sessions I was able to see the joy and happiness in my grandmother's eyes as the doll's adornments came together.

Blessing moments all around!

-vj

EarringsbyVenaya

www.earartdesigns.weebly.com