Ganado Red
The Navajo have been weaving
for centuries.
Cross-legged on the ground,
women sit in front of frames.
Hands moving in rhythm,
pull the weft through the warp,
beat the threads with a wooden fork.
How do you know it’s Navajo?
These rugs are woven from
end-to-end. No fringe.
You deserve some backstory for today’s poem and Photo Challenge. This is a shot of the Navajo rug that hangs in the hallway to our bedroom. It has an honored place on the wall opposite the double doors that open to the entryway to the rest of the house. A spotlight washes down its surface in the evening. The shot captures only a small portion of its design, but you can see the exquisite detail of the artist’s hand.
I never met the artist, but fell in love with the rug when Peter and I stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast in Albuquerque, New Mexico, several years ago. The owner had stored a pile of folded rugs in the hallway next to our room and I asked her about them. She responded that a local Navajo man would come by her establishment from time-to-time selling the rugs made by the women in his family. She said could never say “No” to him.
The one you see in this photo is particularly fine and large – it’s about 3 x 6 feet. I asked her about it and whether she would be willing to sell it. She thought for a minute and said: “I’ll have to ask my husband. It was birthday present. But we have so many, I think we probably can part with it.” She left the room and came back a few later and asked, “Does $350 sound reasonable?”
“Yes,” I replied. We checked out that morning and continued on our way with our new treasure. I’m not exactly sure of the style of this one, but I suspect it’s Ganado. Within the Navajo Culture, different styles have emerged. The characteristics of Ganado rugs include a grey background, either a single or double diamond shape in the center and bright red patterns (called Ganado Red). This rug includes all of these properties.
Many cultures embrace textiles as part of their unique expression. In the traditional Navajo Culture women raise sheep, shear their wool, spin it and weave it into beautiful pieces of art. And because I live in the Southwest, I had to include it here.
For more information about the Weekly Photo Challenge, click here.
Gorgeous! Love the pattern! 🙂
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Thanks, Jennifer! I love the pattern, too. And when the Navajo make these, they just start weaving the pattern from memory. It’s amazing to see it build as they continue to weave.
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beautiful and worthy of a poem
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Thank you, LouAnn.
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Good tribute to one-of-a-kind artistry, Cathy.
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It is one-of-a-kind artistry, V. I think every one is different and each artist brings her own unique design into every piece.
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Beautiful rug, Cathy. I am always amazed at how intricate the basket weaving can be, too. I saw some really small ones recently at a museum. They were amazing.
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Oh yes, Amy. I love baskets and basket weaving. The Native Americans have some beautiful basket patterns and traditions as to the Japanese. I love Japanese bamboo baskets!
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I’ve always loved reading about Native American culture, and I enjoy their wares. Love the colors.
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Me too, Carrie. There is so much Native American culture here in the Southwest, especially New Mexico and Arizona where many of them live. I love the colors too, as well as the textures of this rug. Thank you.
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I’m a big fan of Native American and First Nation art work… we have a lot in our area. This is beautiful!
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Thanks, Dawn! I love the First Nation art in your area! All of the beautiful designs from the Pacific Northwest fascinate me.
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There is a Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver that is beyond amazing… textiles, totems, carvings, so many beautiful things. I never get tired of visiting it!
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I will most definitely do that, Dawn. And thank you! I think we’d have a lot of fun!
Cathy
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I’ve never been to Vancourver, Dawn, but would love to go. I will definitely put the Museum of Anthropology on my list of places to visit when I do. The Denver Art Museum has a wonderful exhibit of First Nation art including a significant display of pieces from the Pacific Northwest. I love their stylized animal totems. Wonderful!
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Vancouver is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the world; love it!! If you ever get there, let me know and I’ll show you around. 🙂
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[…] Weekly Photo Challenge – Culture « LargeSelf […]
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I would love to see it as you displayed it?
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I’ll post another shot, if you’d like Kathryn.
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Yes definitely please?
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I love the way you tell us the story behind the picture Cathy. it makes your work a double delight.
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I’ve always felt very blessed that I was able to acquire this beautiful treasure, Athena. Thank you!
Cathy
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