• Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center
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| The spindle consists of a round stick, pointed at both ends, about twenty-five to thirty inches long. The spindle fits into the center hole of the whorl which is a flat disk, four or five inches in diameter. The whorl acts as a balance and is securely fastened to the stick about five inches from the butt end. The skill of spinning lies in the steady motion of the spindle as the spinner twirls it with her right hand, while at the same time she exerts the right amount of pull to stretch the strands. As a given length of roving is twisted and stretched into yarn, the spinner winds it onto the spindle just above the whorl, where it is stored until there is a sufficient amount to wind off into a ball. Each successive spinning makes the yarn finer and stronger. All Navajo yarn is spun at least twice until it is smooth and fine. | |
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| Hairdressing was a frequent activity and generally done by women for both sexes. In the traditional hairstyle, the hair is brushed back, folded up, and tied in the middle with a variety of hair ties. Here a skein of yarn or a chongo is used which can sometimes be decorated with a bead of turquoise or shell. Drawing upon this image 30 years later, artist Bettina Steinke painted "Tying the Chongo," a 22x26 inch oil, for the 1985 National Academy of Western Artists exhibition. | |
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| The loom consists of two parts: the weaving frame and the stationary upright poles and cross beams that hold the frame during use. Several sized combs and battens are the only tools required. Made of a hard wood into which three-inch tines are cut and a handle carved, the comb is used to beat down the weft as it is passed through the shed. The batten, a curved piece of hardwood about thirty inches long and three inches wide, is inserted into the shed and then turned edgewise to make the opening wide enough for the weft to be passed through. | |
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| This windowless, polygonal cribbed log hogan, constructed by vertically stacking parallel logs, is energy efficient in winter, cool in summer, and offers a retreat from strong winds. Round, or nearly round, the hogan faces East to the rising sun. | |
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| The Navajos believe that the use of
a cradleboard promotes strong and straight backs in their children
as well as calm and poised personalities due to the security of being
bound. Cradleboards can be transported by carrying, worn on the back,
or placed in front of the rider of a horse. Prayer sung when a baby is placed on the cradleboard: I make a baby-board for you, my son. May you grow to a great old age. Of the rays of the earth I make the back, The blanket, I make of the black clouds, The bow, I make of the rainbow, The side-loops, I make of the sun beams, The foot board, I make of the sun-dogs, The covering, I make of the dawn, The bed, I make of the black fog. |
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| Exhibit Photographs, Page 2 >> | |
