Monument Valley has been the location for over 16 major movies and scores of commercials. The Navajo people comprise the largest Indian tribe in North America. More than 300,000 live in the 16 million acre Navajo Nation. Raising livestock is a major source of income for many Navajo families and has been since the Spanish introduced sheep, goats, horses, and cattle to the Southwest over 300 years ago. The sheep's wool is spun and woven into beautiful Navajo rugs available in the valley and throughout the surrounding area.
Many traditional weavers raise the sheep and shear, wash, card, and spin the wool themselves.
They dye it as they were taught by their mothers, with native plants such as wild walnut, lichen, and rabbitbrush, or use the wool in its natural color. The weaver sits on the floor or ground in front of the Navajo log loom. As she works, the completed portion is rolled to the bottom of the loom. The weaver must call from memory every nuance of a traditional design. Visit Monument Valley and experience the land of the Navajo.