


AVAJO Indian Rugs are woven by hand 
of sheep’s wool in fascinating designs 
and colorings. They are the only hand 
wrought floor coverings made by a primitive 
people in the United States. 
The Navajo Indian Reservation is situated 
in northwestern New Mexico and northeastern 
Arizona, and has an area almost equal to that 
of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut 
together. The Indians live in isolated houses, 
or “hogans,” built of stones, mud and twisted 
cedar boughs, and here the famous “blankets” 
are woven. There are no towns or villages, for 
the people are not gregarious, and though the 
tribe numbers over 28,000 souls, a crowd gets 
together only when there is a dance, or “fiesta.” 
There are many Navajos who have never seen a white man. 



The weaving is done by the women and young girls, the latter being taught some of the 
steps as early as four years old. The great fear of the old Chiefs is that as civilization en- 
croaches upon the tribe, the art of weaving will gradually die out, and every effort is being made 
to perpetuate the remarkable artistry and crafthood that has made the Rugs of the Navajos 
superior in some ways to Orientals. 
The dearest possessions of every squaw are her weaving implements, and these are often 
_passed down from mother to daughter through several generations. Rug weaving is not a spe- 
cialized art, where one does all the dyeing, another the spinning, and so on. Each woman must know 
each step of the process, and the acquisition of this knowledge means a life’s work. 
From the very beginning, when the wool is sheared, until the finished rug is untied from 
the loom, every step is taken in the most laborious way, and the most primitive tools are used; 
but the result is miraculous, and no one in looking at the riot of color and ingenuity of design, 
can-fail to appreciate that skill and patience play a large part in the making. Thread upon thread 
is laid, deftly, surely building up little by little a story of hope deferred or victory won, until, 
at the end of six or eight months, what we see as a rather attractive Indian Rug is in reality a 
part of the weaver’s life story. 
White, black and brown sheep roam on the Reservation, and from these the Indians get their 
white, black and brown wool. The gray is made by mixing, or carding, the white and black 
together. In these colorings there is no dye. Other colors used are red, indigo, green and yel- 
low; all native dyes except the red which is a vegetable dye made especially for the Indian 
trade. All colors, therefore, are absolutely fast, and will not fade. The rugs are sent to the 
cleaners without hesitation. 
It is safe to say that 90% of the homes building today are of the “bungalow” or artistic 
cottage type, with hardwood floors and wide porches. Here the value of the Navajo rug is 
at its height, for it seems to harmonize with the very spirit of home, and to adapt itself to a 
hundred needs. Navajos are alike on both sides; they do not curl; easy to clean; wear fo1 
more years than any other floor covering you can name; inexpensive. Just the attributes you 
are looking for in an ideal rug. The large majority of rugs come in a combination of gray, black, 
white and red, with either the red, white or gray predominating. For living rooms and porches 
gray backgrounds are generally the best; for bedrooms, bathrooms and camping blankets, get 
white backgrounds; and for dens, cozy corners, couch covers, etc., the red backgrounds give that 
fine touch of color that warms the heart and lends a distinctive air to the scheme of decoration. 
For gifts at any time of the year there is nothing that emphasizes the good taste, originality 
and thoughtfulness of the giver as a Navajo Rug. 
For Description, Prices and Further Information, Write 
THE NAVAJO ASSOCIATION 
221 WEST 57th STREET NEW YORK CITY 

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