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
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Be (ing) Matriarch, the Handbag Story

'Be Matriarch' handbag by Venaya Yazzie via
Yazzgrl Art Designs
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2019

The current dialogue among the new Gens of the twenty-first century concerns the use of the term 'matriarch.' In American culture this expression carries a negative connotation, for if a female is called a "matriarch," she often will take offense to it as she may deem it as someone referring to her age in life, or "old." But, in the current Indigenous communities of North America, the expression 'matriarch', 'matriarchy' concern resilience, strength, female leadership.

About two years ago I began using the expression 'Be Matriarch.' For me, this concept was adapted from the life/ lives of my own Dine' (Navajo) women matriarchs: my grandmother's and aunties, and the cousin-sisters too.  To 'be matriarch' in my view is to emulate those women ancestors who lived before me and to those who currently in the family circles of our women's culture.  The expression 'be matriarch' therefore concerns the female gender. In the Dine' (Navajo) epistemology, the female is the equal counterpart to the male gender. We are two separate beings physiologically and mentally, but we are meant to live as one in order to keep the balance.

For me, 'be matriarch' is about carrying on those good and blessed qualities of the women in our Indigenous tribal communities.

I have designed and created the 'Be Matriarch' handbags as a means of bringing awareness of the above mentioned concepts.  This handbag pictured above in one of my new designs, and is modeled by my maternal grandmother, who just turned 89 years old this month.  I am blessed to have her in my life, she inspires my work both intellectually and creatively.

Blessings, 

VJYazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Model & Be Matriarch

Navajo model showing Yazzgrl Art Designs: Skirt, 'be matriarch' Tee and Handbag

Yazzgrl Art Designs Skirt

Yazzgrl Art Designs skirt by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2019

Designed and made by New Mexico artist Venaya Yazzie.  Each skirt is truly one-of-a-kind as Venaya does not re-make the skirts.  Her choice of mixed patterns and added adornments makes these skirt full of expression and life!

Made of 100% cotton printed fabric, with added applique methods, satin ribbon and elastic waistband.


Be blessedd
&
Be matriarch!

Yazzgrl Art is Venaya Yazzie

Yazzgrl Art

Venaya Yazzie

Venaya her art and her collectors at the annual Totah Indian Market Festival, NM

Yazzgrl Art is a company owned by New Mexico resident Venaya Yazzie.  Her art concerns a modern point of view of her matrillenial cultural of Navajo nation, and also her Hopi heritage.

Venaya is inspired by the matriarchs of her family in northwest New Mexico, in the high desert lands of abundant sage and mesas.

Visit her art site at:

Yazzgrl Art by Venaya Yazzie


Be Blessed
&
Be Matriarch!

The 'Be Matriarch' Handbag

Yazzgrl Art Designs

The 'Be  Matriarch' Handbag

By Venaya Yazzie

Yazzgrl Art Designs at the annual Santa Fe Indian Market, Santa Fe, NM

The 'Be Matriarch' Handbag is a series of handmade bags made by me Venaya Yazzie.  The concept of the bag is inspired by my female family members, my matriarchs of the Dine' (Navajo) Nation.

In a cultural society that lives as a matriarchal society, the concept of ' be matriarch' was conceived by me as I looked at the role that women play in my Indigenous culture.

Be Matriarch' is therefore the brain child of me.

#Navajonation

#bematriarhc

#venayayazzie

#newMexico

'be matriarch' shoulder bag

'be matriarch' shoulder bag made by Venaya Yazzie
Yazzgrl Art Designs
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Venaya Yazzie 2019

Detail of 'be matriarch' shoulder bag made by Venaya Yazzie
Yazzgrl Art Designs
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Venaya Yazzie 2019

I made this shoulder bag last month - it was created with the soul purpose of gifting it to a young Dine' friend who was moving to Taiwan.

I really like the way this bag came out as I is mostly representing blue hues. I decided to add the satin ribbon and silver ric rac trim to the bag. The bag is made of  90% upcycled materials, the only items I purchased new from the store were the ribbon, thread and silver button accents.

I hope this bag is a blessing to the Dine' woman I gifted it to.

Blessings.

All around - vjy

'Be Matriarch' Handbags at the annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show

Currently my 'Be Matriarch' handbags are in the annual
Red Cloud Indian Art Show in South Dakota from June 1 to August 11, 2019.

The show coordinators have created a website that allows viewers and potential collectors to view the artwork on display and also to purchase the pieces.

Please visit the site to the Red Cloud Indian Art Show:

Red Cloud Indian Art Show

My contemporary art pieces are located on page 57.

Please visit the site to see all the Indigenous artists that have art displayed on the website and to potentially own one or many of the original art pieces.

Blessings.