Spider Woman's Legacy: The Art of Navajo Weaving — Ronald McCoy

The most enduring popular image of the Navajo is probably that of solitary woman sitting outdoors, surrounded by the towering mountains, sun-baked plateaus, and snaking canyons of the Four Corners Country - where the borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet - weaving a blanket or rug or her vertical loom. Navajos trace the standard of excellence exemplified by their finest textiles to the time of legends, when Changing Woman, their patron and protector, met Spider Woman, the first weaver. But Navajo rugs are more than just beautiful or utilitarian: they are tradition, passed down from mother to daughter for generations; they can demonstrate cultural developments; they spurred trade; and they are a legacy. Learn more about this Southwestern tradition in this article, made available by The World & I Online.