Ancient Pots by Navajo artist Bobby Johnson

This photo has been only cropped to eliminate an old frame that was distracting when one looked at this wonderful painting. It has not been edited in any other way and appears here as it came from my camera. The photo was made at the museum in Deming, New Mexico.
The Navajo are the largest Native American tribe in North America, numbering almost 300,000, originally nomadic herders and feared raiders, they have been contained on a reservation that extends across New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.
Like the Cherokee's Trail of Tears, the Navajo suffered their own forced displacement in the 1860's, although that proved to be temporary. Called The Long Walk, the arduous trek resulted in many deaths and much suffering. After several years of unsuccessful attempts to turn them into sedentary farmers, they were returned to their reservation - again, with much hardship. To this day, the name of Kit Carson, who supervised the round-up of the Navajo, is still anathema to many in the tribe.
Noted for their ability to assimilate skills and ideas from others, in the late 19th century the Navajo learned weaving from the Hopi, and silver work from a Hispanic blacksmith. For well over 100 years, they have been renowned for their fine rugs and jewelry.
Navajo refer to themselves as Diné, which is translated as "The People" in English.

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