Dine' and Tibetan, the Turquoise Parallels

Tibetan Woman
Photo credit: Instagram via TibetPortraits Lhasa
By Brant Knutzen(2003) 2018

Of the plethora of parallels that exist among the Tibetan people and the Dine', the most notable concerns personal adornment practice, or as I express "Indigenous Adornment." This blog entry concerns those existing similarities, especially when it comes to female personal adornment.

Originating from the high-desert community of northwest New Mexico, and being a woman, I have lived and experienced the expression of southwest Indigenous Adornment. Growing up I always seen my maternal clan matriarchs cultural adornment steadfast with turquoise.  The gem turquoise has been a mainstay for the Dine' and Pueblo people of New Mexico and also the Apache and Hopi nations of Arizona.  For among the Dine', the turquoise is believed to be a positive amulet that brings safety and continual protection, mentally, spiritually and physically for the wearer. 

Doing my research in the area of Indigenous Adornment in the "americas" and in the Tibetan cultural, the fact is that we both share the same reverence for turquoise. The main difference being that the Tibetan people prefer to wear raw, unprocessed turquoise, while among the Dine' wearing turquoise in various forms of processing does not matter much. Instead, many Dine' wear and use turquoise as a means of symbolically perpetuating: balance, harmony, protection.

Also on her person is her coral necklace pieces and also the one coral piece on her headdress. Again the Navajo use coral as a major part of their southwestern adornment efforts.

I share the image above as an example of how the modern Tibetan female wears turquoise on her person. It seems that a favorite way of 'adornment' in Tibetan culture has the individual affixing turquoise directly to their hair, something that I have not seen Navajo people do.

#IndigenousAdornment

This photo capture by Brant Knutzen via Instagram is one of many outstanding images of the Indigenous people in Tibet.

(posted 7-1-18/ edited 7/6/18

  by Venaya Yazzie

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Desert woman's hands; my hands

Hand(s) Portrait
Photo credit: Eileen Braziel 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Every person who walks into you path is a divine appoint to your life journey. This is what I truly believe- that Creator God has pre-destine our lives. I am thankful for the "art" people in my life, they bring their gifts and bless me with them.

The earth too blesses me life, I am continually inspired by the beauty of 'her' - the earth, my muse.

I really love this picture, it tells a grand story of my life as a southwestern desert woman, as a Navajo/Hopi artist. Everyday I wear the turquoise adornments that carry 'story' too.

Blessings

Hopi Pueblo sun symbol

Sterling silver post earrings

Photo by Yazzgrl Art 2018

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This posting concerns the Hopi Pueblo design of the sun (symbol). I acquired these new post-style earrings directly from the artist. These are made with sterling silver metal including: turquoise, jet and mother-of-pearl shell. The Hopi Pueblo consider this motif as that of hope and blessing.

Planting season

"Ha'dile'"

Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2018

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Yazzgrl Art

Even in the chaos of modernity in North America, the ways of the southwest Indigenous person is still being perpetuated from season to season.

In this month of June which for the Navajo person concerns the beginning of the planting season, but also to describe the earth season/ weather. For the Navajo person, the act of planting or farming concern the state of living or existing in  'beauty.'  Once nomadic, the 21st century Navajo people have adapted to the sedentary lifestyle and have become farmers. Many only plant the following: corn varieties (Blue corn, Yellow corn, White corn), melons and squash. All of which have specific cultural meaning and use in traditional family culture. In many cases the Indigenous person/ farmer in the southwest use only heirloom seeds, such seeds are only available in the family. I have been able to replant the seeds from my great-grandparents, and also have planted heirloom blue corn seeds from my Hopi relatives.

Although the Dine' - Navajo language has no definitions for the Euro -American calendar days or months, we do have a expression that describes this beginning of June, beginning of Summer season. Many contemporary Navajo people, express "June" as "ya’iishjááshchilí" - which concerns  the corn plant and its "little corn tassles."

I share this capture above as a narrative about the farming tradition of my own family in eastern Dine', Navajoland, USA. My great-grandparents were ardent farmers: my cheii planted corn and my masani' planted the squash and the melon varieties. This family tradition is in my blood, I have planted these vegetables as means of continuing the narrative of my family's existence in this area of northwest New Mexico and in the area of Navajoland called eastern Dine'tah.

Speaking from a personal perspective, the act and process of farming is medicinal for me. I know the many blessings that are bestowed from farming the land, which comes from a sacred way of living and in much respect.

(Posted by Venaya Yazzie 2018
06-11-18
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

SW Indigenous artisans and "fakes"

Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) made earrings
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

New acquisition into my southwestern desert jewelry collection. I purchases this pair of earrings directly from the Indigenous artist this weekend.

These authentic Indigenous Pueblo-made earrings were created in the ancient Pueblo style called "mosiac" design. These earrings include the following desert minerals: turquoise, black jet, and I am not sure of the yellow mineral. They also include mother-of-pearl shell and feature sterling silver findings and hooks.  I was able to talk with the Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) artist about his work before I purchased it, which I feel is vital in buying "real" authentic southwestern Indigenous jewelry.

As I mentioned in a previous post, if it is possible BUY DIRECTLY FROM THE INDIGENOUS (Native American) TRIBAL ARTIST.  By doing this you are ensuring the sovereignty of the Indigenous peoples ways of life, and overall artistic, creative expression.  In today's climate there is far too many fake jewelry pieces in the southwestern jewelry market.  This is particularly true in tourist towns such as: Santa Fe, Gallup, Flagstaff and other towns that border Indigenous / 'Indin' reservation communities who feature authentic "American Indian Jewelry."  Via the American western Anglo-drive trading posts and pawn shops and other so called Native American curio shops, there is fraud. This ill tradition began as early as the late 1900s when Euro-American Anglo people (particularly men) were seeing, or experiencing the southwestern INDIGENOUS ART of New Mexico and Arizona.

Nowdays, non-Indigenous (non-Navajo, non-Pueblo) people are perpetuating THEFT of INDIGENOUS ART.  Non-Indigenous business owners are stealing, copying and re-creating Indigenous peoples designs via jewelry and the Navajo rugs. In many cases they are photographing our art designs and then sending them off to foreign lands such as the Philippines, China, the Middle East and South America for non-Navajo, non-Pueblo artisans to re-create and therefore, make fake copies of our jewelry. All you have to do is walk down the tourist areas of say Santa Fe, NM and see curio shops selling knock-off jewelry items. Many times they are labeled as "authentic Native American made." Don't be deceived, be vigilant and instead ask questions and buy directly from the Indigenous artist when possible.

I share this post as a means of educating the public at large on modern issues we face as Indigenous jewelry artisans in a time of continually colonization.

Blessings.

 (Posted 06-11-18
by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

R E S I L I E N C E in modern SW tribal dress

Modern Indigenous Adornment items
Photo by Venaya Yazzie
2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The continual use of southwestern cultural jewelry via turquoise and silver and other woven garments is a pure form of R E S I L I E N C E by contemporary tribal people. Including myself and my family, other of these people include: Navajo, Pueblo, Apache, Zuni and other low and high desert Indigenous Peoples of NM, AZ and UT.

First of all, happy June to all! To those who are reading this Indigenous Adornment blog I was given the Venaya Yazzie (Navajo/ Hopi) from my mother and my late father. And, I was born and raised in the Americas in the area of northwest New Mexico. Born on the sovereign Navajo Nation I was raised off and on the eastern region of the great Navajo reservation. I was raised up by my maternal grandparents who are of the Manyhogans and Two Waters Flow Together clans and have my Hopi family ties to First Mesa in AZ.

I began this Indigenous Adornment blog with the hope of sharing my culture(s) with those who visit this site. And therefore, I contribute work that I hope acts as a way of creating 'community.' The perpetuation of Indigenous knowledge and in the education-share of the First-Footprint People of the Americas I always want to ensure all areas I cover are correct and true. This posting concerns the resiliency of my tribal people via their personal 'adornment' practices. From the American fashion garments to handcrafted and made Navajo and Pueblo sterling silver jewelry, the 21st century Indigenous person is steadfast in a proud identity.

One sure thing is that I am daily amidst my desert woman matriarchs, which includes my maternal grandmother, shi' masani, other female family members. And therefore, I am able to witness their diverse expressions of Indigenous Adornment, so I am daily enriched and inspired by such' adornment' practices. Most all of the cultural jewelry items worn and owned by tribal people such as the Navajo, concerns heirloom items such as turquoise and silver necklaces and bracelets. So, when a modern young Navajo, who adores modern fashions such as skinny jeans and denim floral jackets, pairs them with a beautiful Navajo Squash Blossom, a 'Neo Navajo' look is born!  Personally I like to pair a basic black Converse with a more traditional-style of Navajo woman's three-tiered skirt.  Other times I like to where a Russian floral trade scarf with a cute leather jacket.  The point is a that modern Indigenous people are strong as ever in their tribal identities.  Though this post concerns 'adornment' or even 'fashion' it is true we  have adapted to the Euro-American way of life in many ways. And it is true too, that through the many years of American colonization, many of us have overcome terrible hardships and trials and now in 2018 we survive and thrive.

What I am expressing is that we will always hold our tribal traditions close to our spirit(s) and with this in mind, we can still adapt to new ways and in the end we are resilient and strong and look forward to our futures.

Posted on 06-05-18
by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Yazzgrl Art: Process

Captures of my current Yazzgrl Art
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The mainstay within my artwork content is the Indigenous woman. I am much inspired by my high-desert matriarchs of the Dine' (Navajo) and Pueblo people of the Four Corners area, the Rio Grande Valley and Hopi Pueblo(s).

The current works on paper are inspired by my own Dine' relatives (my aunts, cousin sisters) and too by my Dine' clan relatives. In the Dine' ways of being, many of us are 'clan related' if we belong to the same clan groups.  Being raised up by my maternal grandmother and her family of female relatives I have always found inspiration from their lives.

As an adult I am now amidst the "life" of the Dine' matriarch, which concerns a plethora of duties and other activities. As a care giver for my grandmother I am perpetually in her company and therefore much mused by her life.

The image(s) I share concern the concepts of the southwest Indigenous Adornment of my matriarchs. Our life philosophies emit narrative of turquoise and silver, and hair bundling and braiding, as a means of finding and keeping that "balance" of a woman's life.  The acts of 'adornment' concern the spiritual and also teaching in how a Dine' woman is to respect herself by caring for her person.

I will continue working on this new series of work that celebrates the Beautyway of the Indigenous matriarch.

Blessings in All things.

(posted  4-29-18

 by Venaya Yazzie

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Diné Women Poets & National Poetry Month

Official Poster Announcement from Cortez Public Library 2018

On Friday, April 20, 2018 five Dine' women poets from the Four Corners communities of New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah converged at the Cortez Public Library in southwestern Colorado to celebrate National Poetry Month. The event was coordinated by Librarian Kathy Berg and her staff.  The event poster announcement I posted contains information about the event and sponsors.  I share this information on my blog as a means of celebrating the Arts in the Four Corners community.

Invited Dine' (Navajo) poetess' included:

Tacey Atsitty (Navajo)
Esther Belin (Navajo)
Tina Deschenie (Dine'/ Hopi)

Gloria Emerson (Navajo)

Venaya Yazzie (Dine'/Hopi)

Although I was late in arrival to the event, I was able to enjoy the poetry reading shares of Gloria Emerson and Tina Deschenie.  As a poet in the high desert southwest I feel so very blessed and humbled to have been given the opportunity to read along side these empowered desert matriarchs. I have included a photo capture of all of us after the event.

Navajo poets: (L to R)
Venaya Yazzie, Tina Deschenie, Esther Belin, Gloria Emerson, Tacey Atsity

Please support the Indigenous poets of North America, Canada, Mexico and South America, there is a plethora of diverse voices in all communities.  The real narratives of each Dine' women was heard that night as we all share our experiences in the 21st century as tribal members and also as women in the Arts and writing communities.  The matriarch elder of the group was artist and poet Gloria Emerson who is such a blessing to all of us as she stands steadfast as a leader in her community.

If you would like more information on the above listed poets just 'google' their names and I'm sure you will find out much. But, I will include a link from the Cortez Journal for more information.

Navajo Poetess'

Many Blessings.

(posted 4-23-18 by Venaya Yazzie)

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED