Articles Index
Dia de los Muertos - Celebrating the Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in homes, churches, cemeteries, and public places with traditional "offrendas," altars with offerings to the dead, inviting beloved souls to visit the living.
Fred Stevens, Jr Navajo Sandpainter
Fred Stevens, Jr., (1922 - 1983) Navajo Indian Sandpainter and Medicine Man who is acknowledged to have been the foremost developer and practitioner of permatizing Navajo Sandpaintings.
Exploring Indian Arizona - Native American Hotels
Make your stay in Arizona a cultural experience. Travelers today are searching for vacations that offer more than just sandy beaches and sunshine. They are looking for experiences where they can discover firsthand a region's customs, traditions, cuisine, and music. With more Tribal Nations than other state in the country, Arizona offers visitors the opportunity to explore Native American culture in the most intimate and authentic of ways.
Pueblo Potters Create Beauty from the Earth
The beauty of Noreen Simplicio's Pueblo Pottery begins with digging clay from the earth. Noreen Simplicio, of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico is a renowned potter who has shown and won prizes for her work at the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Pueblo Pottery of the Southwest: What You Need to Know
Pueblo Indian Pottery is highly collectible. The Pueblo Indians have been making pottery for about 2000 years. While early pottery was made primarily for their own use, contemporary Indian pottery is mostly decorative.
Land of Navajo Rugs and Weavings: Toadlena and Two Grey Hills
For the lover of Navajo rugs and weavings, a day trip from Gallup through the Navajo Reservation to Toadlena Trading Post and Two Grey Hills Trading Post is a must-do. Not only will you find yourself at the center of the Two Grey Hills weaving community, you will have the opportunity to learn about the beautiful rugs and see examples that exist nowhere else. And, if you are lucky, you may meet one of the talented Navajo weavers.
Zuni Fetish Animal Carvings
The Zuni are known for their fetish animal carvings. The carvings made for collectors and tourists have no religious significance but the predecessors to these marvelous little stone and shell animals did.
Visiting Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico
Visiting Zuni Pueblo - What You Need to Know. The best part of visiting Zuni was that it was seemingly untouched by time. Important religious ceremonies go on from year to year, and families pass down language and tradition.
Traveling Among the Navajo
The Navajo Nation offers a variety of recreation and cultural opportunities. Experience the natural wonders of Monument Valley Tribal Park, reflect upon the lives of the Anasazi people who left the ruins in Canyon de Chelly and Navajo Nation Monuments or visit Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site where customers have traded since 1878.
All About Navajo Weaving: Why Navajo Rugs are So Valuable Today
Learn about Navajo rugs. Navajo weaving is a true American folk art. Born on the looms of the Pueblo Indians before the arrival of the Spanish, it was nurtured and perfected by the Navajo weaver.
American Indian Baskets - Native American Baskets and Basketry
Collecting American Indian baskets is one of the most satisfying and interesting areas of involvement with Native American arts. Find out how baskets are made, where you can buy authentic Indian baskets and how to care for your basket collection.
Navajo Sand Painting - History and Ceremony
Navajo Sandpainting, once only part of Navajo ceremonial life, has become an art form available to collectors and visitors alike.
About Kachinas (Katsinas) - The Story of the Kachina Doll
Katsina doll collecting can be an intimidating endeavor to the novice due to the enormous variety of Katsinam, as well as styles ranging from simple and flat, to meticulously detailed, life like representations.
Native American Veterans - Honored Citizens of Nations Within a Nation
Native American Veterans go above and beyond in serving their country. As I travel the Southwest I am taken with the patriotism shown by Native Americans. Respect given to Native American veterans rivals that of most any other American cultural group. Despite the oppression of many Native Americans, the desire to serve the United States as honored warriors remains a part of the culture.
Introduction to Southwestern Indian Jewelry
Indian Jewelry is a term that brings to mind the silver and turquoise jewelry of the Navajo and Pueblo Indians of the American Southwest. Craftspeople from the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and Santo Domingo tribes have gained a world-wide reputation for their unique jewelry.