The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-03-06
rug NAVAJO INDIANS.
~r,be-Their Love OF Dress
- - - a--sd Reservation. --.

.~-sr0 INDIAN -
Nra'Y 1T, january 29.-On tn,
riscs, Lone NC Al the very jumping-of
PseInc ~ cc;Sy;liizstion, lies the Navajo In
Pses ~sssrsstion. 1t Is situated snleii.
dlsera. but the eastern boundary l
aor the Navajo Indians are il
- At the recent news from then
bgh ,.ther', For years they have
agsdi far little more land for then
pssasu mere once their forefathers helt
socn svsy. As their great chief
s .ssp';ts. said in council a few weeks
bsH0 al seemed as if there was 9
80: Ia somewhere east of Santa F.
Ss cries of the Nayajoes were
u they never seemed to reach the
he great father. But at last
- .re found a man who,. in Indian
~ "a can stalk straight, land their
Is 81 .sd Efficient agent, Mr.; Galen East
~ z. mcceeded in gaining the long,
~ Ron. increasing the area OF the
evsdou one-fourth. With the adj
$3.50 water supply, they can soon
49, 4 seH-supporting people and
s.sct;on of the Indian problem will
wv - ! satisfactory solution.
"a =. ysvsioes differ in many respects
- their neighbors, the Utes and
I a.sshS Women among them holds a
ros;f;on. "Woman's rights"
bsem practically exemplified among
Ssm ior many years. The wife not
- ~ her saw about all domestic ar
Elements. but holds her property In
s-p right. Her share of the in
s :, q tie sheep and ponies is set
~ for her especial use and benefit.
assr Inc wives accompany their dusky
Srd. 10 the council fire, and their low
go merestions meet with ready at
smticr. They are very skillfui IN the
N Of weaving.
suppose YOU enter 9 hogan, or Indian
houe II s built of logs or stone, plas-
ssri VIII adobe, and you must steop as
ru cross the threshold.
Inside, the lady of the house is busy
1t her blsnket. 1t Is to be choice pro-
duciiou. and her fingers deity ply the
.Lvsfle between the scarlet threads of
R;etts or red flannel and the wool of
her own sheen, dyed according to her
hucy. She has no measure, no pat
tru. but she makes no mistakes. In
many cases the designs are quite intri-
cs.e. and these blankets range in
price nom $50 to 500. 1
~ one last week which is be-
iue woven for an army officer at
Tcrt Wingate. Il is composed of Ger
msntown wool, and Is marvel of
cunning workmanship. The weaver is
10 have bis choice as recompense be-
tween silver bride and a horse. He
vre the elegant blanket presented to
General Sherman some time ago, and is
Tie mastsr workman of his craft. The
ysujoes are alive to the power of dress,
md ! Navajo belle is as fully conscious
dthe plendors Of her apparel as her
white sisters. The richer class wear
dress Of their own weaving, generally
Mack with . fancy stripe in red for a
border. This garment fastens at the
shoulderswith silver ornaments, leaving
tie arms bare. They, wear a gay belt,
ium which depend strings Of beads,
shells, and little bells. Withal the
aPihess Nayajoe" has sometimes as
many = eighteen bracelets on each arm.
These ars Of brass, copper, or silver ac-
coFding b the means of the wearer, and
AZ often chased with considerable skill.
hsAe has coral necklace she surveys
Der less fortunate sister with conscious
superiority, and displays her silver ear
rlap With unnlitigsted satisfaction.
Shs has pretty foot, and 'she knows it,
md her bockskin .moccasins and leg
pngs are fresh and new. She ties her
bng, black hair with scarlet yarn,
maps her gay blanket about her shout
DEN, and sallies forth to conquer.
~ greatest obstacle to civilization
G& NsEaioes is their superstition
s'out the dead. When Navajo dies
mn Immediately carried out and the
,Hg.nn torn down. His favorite
nusn 10, for without him the hunt
= would be poorly equipped for the
nmPYy limiting grounds.' His finest
osakef and household treasures are
snefed together, for their owner must
:, g 9fer TIE other. world in poverty.
-: 3, seae. seek cave, and there he is
20 Any ike the patriarchs of old, and
@pznce rallied up with adobe, or
80 sone. Those who have assisted
~ oneeWies are considered unclean
- allowed to speak to any person,
T,oech thar families for four DAYS.
. - az 60 through the ceremony of
n their hands, and are considered
% should Navajo die friend
I4 slQne, his household goods are
- side, the "hogan' Is pulled
~ move him, and his home becomes
n q sepulture.
Mia head chief of the Naya-
sa man Of wonderful rpbys;oue
unsly developed, in his holiday
Co., perscnifcation of one of
t.,is,. : heroes. He lives in a COM
- J. s . house and has adopted
~. - habits of the white man,
q eem the unfortunate habit
Sc ! whisky. This prac-
n q me root of most of
80 troubles, and the laws against
heA -. oor with the Indians are
b ~ sod severe. Manuelita
- = e = abstain from the further