A presentation about the art of Navajo Weaving.

1. By: Karina Chaves
NAVAJO WEAVING

2. DINETAH
NAVAJO NATION
The Navajo Reservation is located in the American Southwest. It spans over parts of Utah, Arizona, New
Mexico and Colorado, as the map above shows. There are four sacred mountains that surround the nation that
also represent the four directions (North, South, East and West).

3. Navajo Art
• Jewelry – especially Turquoise
• Pottery
• Clothes
• Weaving/Rugs
• Weaving/Baskets
• Paintings
• Sand Painting
Navajo people are world-renowned for their artistic abilities, especially in weaving.

4. HISTORY OF WEAVING
• According to Navajo Tradition, their people were taught to
weave by two “holy ones” called Spider Man and Spider women.
There is even a monument in Navajo Nation where Spider
Woman supposedly lives, Spider Rock.
• The legend says Spider Man made the first loom of sunshine,
lightning and rain. Then Spider Woman taught the Navajo how
to weave it. Today, Navajo men are the primary loom-makers
and the women are the weavers.

5. Spider Rock is located in Canyon de Chelly in Chinle, Arizona.
Navajo people believe Spider woman lives at the top of Spider Rock (where the white part is).
About 50 Navajo families still live and farm in this canyon.

6. HISTORY OF WEAVING
• Scholars believe weaving was
introduced to the Navajo by
the Pueblo people in the 17th
century because of the
similarities found in Pueblo
and Navajo design.
• Woven items such as blankets,
rugs and dresses were and
still are very functional for
everyday life.

7. MAKING A BLANKET
345 hours (approximately)
• 45 hours to sheer sheep
and process wool
• 24 hours to spin wool
• 60 hours to prep dye and
dye wool
• 215 hours to weave
• 1 hour to sell
*These numbers are based on a 1973 study conducted with the Dine Community College

9. Early Classic
Period (- 1804)
Navajo were learning
techniques from their Pueblo
relatives. They began using
wool and natural, native
dyes in their blankets. The
best known example of a
blanket from this period is
the Massacre Cave Blanket.

10. Classic Period
(1804-1880)
These blankets were made for
wearing – they were soft and tightly
woven. This period is also known
for “Chief Blankets”. They were
expensive and often used as gifts for
authority figures and Native
American leaders.

11. An international market for rugs and
tapestry started to develop at this
time, so Navajo weavers began
transitions from blankets to rugs.
However, in the late 19th century the
U.S. government brought French
type of sheep to the Navajo people
and rug production took a major hit.
The wool produced from these
sheep was very oily and heavy, and
the rugs always appeared dirty.
Early Rug Period
(Late 1880’s – 1920)

12. The demand for good quality
rugs continued, so the Navajo
began to experiment with
different types of vegetable and
chemical dyes to enhance color
and style. Also, the Navajo
Sheep Breeding Laboratory was
established near Gallup New
Mexico and eventually a breed
of sheep with better producing
wool was developed.
Rug Revival Period
(1920-1940)

13. The current period of weaving is
characterized by region and location.
The patterns, color and symbols
vary depending on which part of
Navajo Nation the weaver is from.
However, there are few weavers left
today. For the amount of time and
energy put into each rug, the pay off
is very little. So many weavers have
found regular jobs in order to
support their families.
Regional Style Rugs
(1940 – present)

14. Even though the economic reality of weaving has forced many Navajo into other
occupations, Navajo weaving has become recognized as a major art form.
It is recognized and highly valued in all parts of the world.
CONCLUSION

15. BIBLIOGRAPHY
"A History of Navajo Weaving." Americana Indian Western Shows. N.p., n.d. Web.
30 Mar. 2015.
"Navajo Artwork." Navajo Artwork. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.
"Navajo Art." Navajo Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.
"Encounter the People." Navajo Tribe, Native Art, Native American Art, Navajo
Rugs, Navajo Jewelry. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.
"Native American Art- Navajo Blanket Weaving." Native American Art- Navajo
Blanket Weaving. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.