Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Diné or Navajo, who make use of the flora and fauna around them, use natural
dyes made from such plants as alder bark, globe mallow, ground lichen, Indian
paintbrush, juniper bark, scarlet bugler, sumac berries, and sweet yellow clover.
FRUIT OF THE LOOM
One of the legends Sarah Natani is guaranteed to share during the workshop is the
genesis of Navajo weaving. According to Diné teachings, Spider Woman was taught
to weave by the spider. She then came down from Spider Rock, 800 feet high in
Canyon de Chelly, and shared her knowledge with the Diné. The loom, which was
made by Spider Man, used cross poles of sky and warp sticks of sunrays. Spindles
were made of lightning.
Navajo weavers, afraid of trapping their creativity in one rug, traditionally leave
a single line of contrasting thread running from the background color through the
border to the edge. Called a “weaver's pathway” or a “spirit line,” the errant thread
is often mistaken as a flaw. In truth, it's carefully crafted as an escape route for the
weaver's spirit and creativity.
During the weeklong workshops, held in May and late September, Natani shares Navajo
weaving techniques, but more importantly, she also passes down Diné legends, lore, and
wisdom (see sidebar). In the process, students learn how to prepare fleece (you will help
shear sheep) and how to wash, card, spin, and dye it (only vegetable dyes allowed). She also
teaches students how to warp a loom, weave stripes, and use the “S” and “Z” twist. Field trips
to nearby trading posts are included, as well.
Although the Natani hospitality is open to weavers of all levels, don't come with unreal-
istic expectations. Natani's hogan is not a resort. It has dirt floors and is heated with a coal-
burning stove. There's no room service, the only bathroom is an outhouse, and, besides the
other weavers, you'll be sharing the family ranch with Natani's several dozen head of churro
sheep (their wool is highly prized for rugmaking), a couple of cows, a llama, three chihua-
huas, some stray cats, a few ponies, and a horse.
As Kathleen Burhnam, the volunteer organizer for the fall trip, says, “This is a weaver's
workshop, not a convenient excuse to take a friend and vacation in the Southwest. We live as
the Navajo lived, however briefly and superficially, and in this way we develop an appreci-
ation for their accomplishments, their enduring dignity, their grace and beauty in the face of
adversity, and we come away with the glow of the Southwest sunsets in our hearts.”
Search WWH ::




Custom Search