Navajo trading has been a crucial component of that tribe's localized economy for generations and has been the subject of much scholarship over the years. The role of the Navajo trader in influencing the types and styles of crafts that Navajos created as well as providing tribal members with an outlet for those items remains important to their…

This essay is a short history of imitation "tithu," dolls representing "katsinam," the Hopi supernaturals. It is a study of "authenticity" in the marketplace and its perceived relation to "magic," "spirituality," and "antiquity," as the article follows early changes at Hopi through the…

Over the last few years there has been a growing recognition of the trend among contemporary artists to engage methods and materials traditionally associated with craft. Sewing in particular has become a prevalent form of artistic expression among contemporary artists. This article is a consideration of sewing as an artistic practice in the works…

Compares the careers of the Zuni We'wha (c. 1849-1896) and the Navajo Hastiin Klah (1867-1937). Both were religious leaders, accomplished craftsmen and artists, envoys to the White world, anthropological informants, adapters of traditional crafts for commercial markets, and berdaches--the third gender bridging men's and women's roles. Contains 71…

Looks at the commercialization of sandpainting by the Navajo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico with minimal division of labor to see how important sex was as a factor in its development. (ERB)