| OCR Text |
Show 86 vii. nAhonzhoodjvv his female ancestors, though he also honored his father's clan. Women had always been important in Navajo society. Men lived among their wives' families. Women also owned their own wealth, often stated their beliefs when decisions were made, and sometimes led war parties. Navajo blankets had already become special trade items. Using wool from their sheep, the People wove blankets that were soon among the most beautiful and precious items in New Mexican trade. They still made fine baskets, a practice which later they would almost completely give up. At the same time, the Navajos left their traditional Dinetah homeland. Because of the raids made by other Indians, life was hazardous in that homeland. The Navajos also needed more grazing land for their growing herds and flocks. As the People moved farther west in search of grass for their stock, their homes and family settlements spread apart. Real distance then came between the new way and the concentrated, settled life of the past. Navajo blankets became famous throughout the Southwest. This woman, photographed in the 1890s, set up her loom in front of the doorway to a forked-stick hogan. Photograph courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution National Anthropological Archives. |
