Navajo Rugs History

The Navajo Rugs History begins with the Pueblo Indians, not with the Navajo men itself. During the 16th century, when the Spanish appeared and conquered subsequently the Pueblo Indians peaceful cultures and today’s the American Southwest and New Mexico, the Dines people or Navajo. People who lived in North Pueblos were seldom seen by the Spanish and mostly known by Pueblo Indian stories and legends. The Navajo clan who might have come jointly as an incorporation of different clan cultures and tribal of the Southern Plains to create their own distinctive culture less than 100 years before the conquest of Spanish government are relative linguistically to the Apache. These tribes grew wove blankets and cotton and even garments on a characteristic pueblo loom hundred years on the past prior to the Spanish conquest.

In The Beginning

The Navajo women have become the nation’s weavers and this is where the Navajo rugs history begins. They began making their own patterns, expanding the range of designs. Indeed, they already created angles that showed patterns instead of simple stripped bands of colors. By this method, Navajo women were able to weave symbols of their religion and legends into their textiles. Since they do not have a word of art, they weave stuff for practical purposes. Blankets were weaved, worn for protection and warmth from the weather and then became an essential item for trade with the Plains and Pueblo Indians.

How Do They Do It?

The mere reason why these people can produce such water repellant, finely woven textiles had everything to do with the certain breed of sheep from which they certainly produced their yarns. Churro sheep was the first sheep imported by the Spanish. These hardy, small animals could survive in the callous desert surrounding and their fleece was hairy and long and didn’t even contain much grease. Hence, it was perfect for spinning and hand carding into strong, fine fibers that could be woven tightly. As Easterners settled and explored the West, tensions arose. The way of life of Navajo had changed. This was certainly because of the rumors and speculations that the Navajo nation was filled of gold and therefore, the United States government was intent on obtaining the precious metal.

During that time, in order to eliminate Navajo threat, Colonel Kit Carson did with a vengeance, torching homes, orchards and crops and even slaughtering horses and sheep. Due to this unimaginable cruelty, Navajo people surrendered because of starvation and have taken the 350-mile walk to New Mexico. Since there is sparse to Churro sheep, the government had provided other breeds of sheep used as food resources. However, their fleece was a lot different and even they were cross bred. Their staple was kinky and short and the wool was too greasy. The produced yarns from this breed weren’t as fine and strong and didn’t even absorb the dyes evenly. Hence, the Navajo rugs history on yarns became rugs heavier, thicker and the colors are less predictable. The history of Navajo rugs lies on the knitted blankets and from the materials used for creating those stuffs.