tyree navajo by Tyree Thomas-Henderson

location and cultural group

tythomashen — 2015-12-09 22:26:39 UTC

The Navajo are people of the Southwest Native American cultural group.

They lived in the American southwest desert regions in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado

shelter

tythomashen — 2015-12-09 22:53:37 UTC

The Navajo tribe lived in Earthen houses that were also called hogans, earth lodges or pit houses. Hogans were semi-subterranean dwellings that were dug from the earth. There were two styles of Hogans, the forked stick Hogan and the Round Hogan, that were built using the timber from pinon trees, that were covered with earth or reeds.

men clothing

tythomashen — 2015-12-09 23:05:55 UTC

The clothes worn by the Navajo tribe made good use of the natural resources that were available to them. The women spun and wove wool into cloth for ponchos, blankets and cloaks. Yucca fiber, from the Soaptree yucca, was also used to make sandals, belts and cloth and was also used to produce baskets and mats. Men's clothing included breechcloths which were made from a long rectangular piece of animal skin or cloth which was worn between the legs and tucked over a belt. Tunics with a concho belt fastened around the waist were also worn that were topped by cloaks or ponchos during the cold weather. They wore high, boot-like moccasins which were fastened at the instep with two or three silver buttons. The traditional headdress worn by the Navajo men was leather cap that was replaced by a simple cloth or leather headbands. In later years both men and women wear velvet shirts or velveteen blouses in brilliant colors on special occasions and wear silver an turquoise jewelry in large quantities.

women clothing

tythomashen — 2015-12-09 23:07:23 UTC

The type of clothes worn by the women. The women of the tribe wore clothes consisting of skirts and blouses. The skirts were traditionally made of woven yucca fiber. Like the men they wore blankets as cloaks for protection in cold weather. Hair was kept long and worn in a traditional hair knot called a Tsiiyeel which was wrapped in white yarn. Like all women they liked jewelry and wore turquoise and silver ornaments

role of men

tythomashen — 2015-12-10 14:45:22 UTC

Navajo men were hunters, warriors and community leaders. In traditional Navajo society, men made jewelry and weapons. In today's Navajo society, the role of men is modernized, much as with other cultures. Men now raise livestock and tend farms, a role traditionally reserved for women. Likewise, only men could serve as chief or councel members in traditional Navajo communities. However, today those roles are changing.

food

tythomashen — 2015-12-11 01:36:20 UTC

The food that the Navajo tribe ate included deer, small game such as rabbit and fish. As farmers the Navajo tribe produced crops of corn, beans, squash and sunflower seeds. Their crops, meat and fish were supplemented by nuts, berries and fruit such as melon. As time passed the Navajo then started to raise sheep and goats with further supplemented their diet.

role of women

tythomashen — 2015-12-11 01:39:48 UTC

The role of women in Navajo society is largely unchanged in terms of goals and overriding beliefs. Traditionally, Navajo women tended livestock and crops, wove rugs, blankets and other crafts, cooked and provided childcare. In familial groups, females were assigned as role models for each pubescent female relative. Today's Navajo woman is still integral to maintaining family unity, imparting heritage and traditions to future generations, as well as serving as assigned role models. However, in today's Navajo Nation, women have careers, seek public office and compete with men for traditionally male-dominated roles in society

art

tythomashen — 2015-12-11 04:15:08 UTC

art

tythomashen — 2015-12-11 04:17:30 UTC

Navajo are known for
their sandpainting, basketry, blanket weaving, and pottery.

Among the world's most beautiful and intricate mandalas, are the sandpaintings of the
Navajo Indians.

Navajo sandpaintings are made in the mornings and early after noons of the last days of a
ceremony by the medicine man and his helpers. After a ceremony the sand paintings are
destroyed.

The soft and subtle color of the sands and ground minerals, the infinite variety in the
repetition of the lines, the abstract conception of the figures of the gods and forms
transport the observer into a strange new world of beauty.

When is comes to making baskets, their utility is as important as their religious value, so
they are kept for continual use. This does not negate the importance of the basket and
the basket making process.

When the Navajo basket maker weaves the reed into a beautiful design, she strives for
balance and harmony, beauty and order.

Navajo pottery making has evolved into a beautiful and expressive art form. Pottery was
important for functional purposes such as water storage, cooking, eating and for
ceremonial events