Ethnic Heritage Days | Grand Canyon

 

While I was at the Grand Canyon, I was lucky enough to be able to see some of the ethnic Heritage Days, which included representatives from different tribes in the area, including Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and Paiute.

　

 

There was a Navajo Indian doing glass blowing. He set up with the furnace and kiln and went through the entire procedure to make a glass.

 

　

Another man was crafting drums out of hollowed out tree sections, with animal skin tops.

 

　

 

There was a table full of native foods, ground corn and other food related items. I was amazed at the selection of local corn that is still being grown and used. The woman told me that the red corn makes such a pretty pink flour.

 

　

 

There were quite a few Kachina dolls on display, from different tribes. A Kachina is a "spirit being" in the Indian culture.

 

　

 

These were interesting, they are carved from sections of trees. When I asked him what it meant, he told me that it was weather - the arrows are lightning and the other three sections represent clouds. 

 

　

 

There was basket weaving, the first one shows how they are started.

 

　

There was a Hopi man doing silver jewelry, which was very nice. 

 

My favorite at the pottery table was a large bowl with very fine details, all hand painted. It was quite large, probably a foot across.

The inside of the bowl represents clouds in the 9 squares on the bottom, with lines showing rain. Obviously, rain was very important to them. 

 

I was really impressed with this little white bowl with dragonflies on the sides. The little squiggly things inside and outside are fish.

Indians have always been known for their beadwork. This gourd was quite big, probably at least a foot across. This beadwork could be used for decoration, and some women wear them as a collar on a dress.

 

It was a small show, but it certainly packed a good selection showcasing their history and what we think of as crafts, but it was all utilitarian for them.

 

Code Talkers - World War II

It's surprising what you learn visiting National Parks and Monuments. I have no recollection of learning anything in school about the Navajo Code Talkers who played quite an important role in the second World War. If it was mentioned, maybe they just glossed over it. Possibly, I could have just missed the whole thing by not paying attention that day.

During the beginning of the war, a non-Navajo man who had grown up on the Navajo reservation, suggested to the military that they should use the Navajo language for code during the war. The demonstrations were so successful, they immediately started enlisting the Navajos.

This proved to be the most accurate, fast and secure communications in the Pacific. No one had ever broken the code, the only one in military history.  This resulted in communication that was reliable and kept the enemy from learning the U S (and allies) actions .

The Navajos who were recruited went to boot camp, then communications training. After that they went to learn the specifics of the Navajo Code.

There was a network of 400 Code Talkers by the end of the war, all Navajo, all Marines. Initially, they recruited 29 Navajos and developed over 200 terms and vocabulary to cover countries involved, equipment and other categories. When the war ended, the Navajo Code consisted of almost 800 words in their Code.

During the war, there were special trips to the reservation to recruit more Navajos because the code was working so well.

It is said that the World War II might have had a different outcome had it not been for these Code Talkers and their language that is so unique.

The photo above was taken in the Navajo Reservtion at Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.

Navajo Art Show, Yuma, Arizona

I visited an art show today - Navajo jewelry, paintings, weavings and pottery.  The photo above is of an intricate sand painting, matted in a very intricate 4 layer mat pattern.  The design on the mat itself was carved out of each layer which provides the different color variations.  Very impressive work, as indicated in the price tag!

 

The rug below was a prize winner, it measures about 3' x 5' and woven in an intricate pattern that is very striking.  Price tag was striking also, four figures!  There were some smaller rugs in an approximate size of a placemat and they were only about $300. 

 

 

Native Indians all seem to be skilled pottery makers and they all have their own designs and methods.  I was able to watch some Indian artists in Taos, New Mexico last year, and all the painting on the pieces were being done by hand.  I was amazed how they could create such tiny, intricate lines in repetitive patterns and have them all come out perfectly.  Some of the pottery, as shown below, is carved with designs.

 

 

 

 

 

 I didn't bother looking at price tags on the pottery since I wasn't in the market - not only do I not have space for it, but I don't have that kind of a budget!  In any case, it was interesting looking at the creations from these American Indians.