People of the Legends
Indigenous People of North America - Navajo
Culture and Customs - Artists
Navajo artists are famous for their skills and creativity. Collectors pay high prices for their rugs, blankets, belts, silver jewellery and belt buckles, woven baskets and pottery.
Their work is displayed in art galleries and museums around the world.
Navajo silver
The Navajo learned how to work with silver from Mexican and Spanish silversmiths in the 1800s.
They used a blowtorch and buffalo-hide bellows to melt silver coins, and hammers and chisels to make the early jewellery.
Then they adapted leather-stamping tools to add decoration.
Silver jewellery is a symbol of wealth, and silversmiths have always been respected in their community.
They make a huge range of rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pins and belts in hundreds of designs. Some items have turquoise or other gemstones set into the silver.
Concha (shell shape) belts and necklaces with silver beads in a design called the squash blossom, are very famous.
Turquoise and other gemstones
A gemstone is a natural stone, shell or coral that can be cut and set in jewellery. Scientists say that ancient people in the Southwest made turquoise beaded jewellery long before the Navajo arrived from Canada.
Today Navajo artists still make necklaces from beads or nugget shapes threaded together into strands, and people wear turquoise jewellery during ceremonies and on special days.
Other gem stones used include red, green and blue amber, red, pink and white coral, deep blue lapis lazuli, green malachite, pearly opal, red, orange and purple oyster shell and black and white magnesite (also called white buffalo).
Navajo weaving
The Navajo believe that Spider Woman, a Holy Person, taught them to weave.
Today rugs and blankets woven in different areas of Navajo land have specific patterns, including Two Grey Hills, Ganado and Teec Nos Pos.
The traditional weaving wool comes from the Churro sheep, which was introduced by the Spanish. 
Many designs use natural wool colours like white, grey and black, and vegetable dyes are mostly used for other brighter colours.
Navajo baskets
Navajo baskets come in different shapes and sizes and are woven from the dried stems of flowering shrubs and trees. The basket makers create colourful patterns, often using natural dyes.
For a wedding, a new basket is made from sumac shrubs and decorated with special designs.
The wedding couple eats traditional food from the basket, which is then passed around to the guests.
People believe that a Navajo basket at home brings a blessing to the house and family.
