DepartmentTextiles-United States & Canada

Pictorial Weaving - Wall Hanging

NamePictorial Weaving - Wall Hanging

Maker Evelyn Yazzie

CultureDiné (Navajo)

Dateca. 1989

Place madeNavajo Nation, Arizona, United States, North America

MediumWool weft, cotton warp, natural dyes

DimensionsOverall: 54 x 92 1/2 in. (137.16 x 234.95 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Lloyd E. Cotsen and the Neutrogena Corporation, A.1995.93.990

Object numberA.1995.93.990

DescriptionEvelyn Yazzie, a skilled Navajo weaver, is known for her intricate and detailed pictorial textiles that depict scenes of everyday life in the Navajo Nation. Her work often captures moments of cultural significance, blending traditional weaving techniques with storytelling elements. Through her tapestries, Yazzie preserves and shares Navajo customs, ceremonies, and social gatherings, ensuring that these rich traditions are passed down through generations.

This particular weaving by Evelyn Yazzie is a vibrant and complex pictorial tapestry that illustrates a bustling Navajo trading post scene, a central hub of commerce and social interaction in Navajo communities. The composition is filled with finely detailed figures engaged in various activities—trading, conversing, and performing traditional dances. Wagons, livestock, and adobe structures are intricately woven into the landscape, set against a backdrop of striking red rock formations and a sky dotted with stylized clouds. The color palette includes earthy browns, deep reds, and blues, reflecting the natural hues of the Southwest. The weaving serves as a visual narrative of Navajo life, encapsulating moments of cultural exchange, community gathering, and daily routine. Yazzie’s attention to detail and masterful use of traditional weaving techniques highlight the enduring artistry of Navajo textile traditions.

At the center of Evelyn Yazzie’s weaving, a row of Navajo Yeibichai dancers is depicted performing a ceremonial dance. The Yeibichai dancers, representing the Holy People in Navajo spiritual traditions, are a key element of the Nightway Ceremony, a sacred healing ritual that has been practiced for centuries. Clad in traditional attire with headdresses and kilts, these figures embody the connection between the Navajo people and their deities, bringing blessings, balance, and harmony to the community. Their presence in this textile emphasizes the deep spiritual and cultural significance of ceremonial dance in Navajo life, seamlessly woven into the larger narrative of daily and communal activities.