Publically Forbidden; The Cultural Refinement of Navajo Sandpaintings

Written by: Ava Springstun

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           With origins deep in sacred tribal healing, Navajo sandpaintings are a rich source of cultural importance. Every aspect of these paintings, from the time of day they are created to the colors and images used, involve immense symbolism. The amount of sacred symbols that are involved in the making of Navajo sand paintings makes the entire work a delicate balance of the rhythms the Navajo believe in. To keep a sand painting with sacred markings longer than its twelve hour period is seen as a defilement of the sacred images. Likewise, to have these images and their meanings revealed to an outsider desecrates the passage for the gods to travel through.

            In today’s modern times, visitors to reservations ooh and ahh at the day to day life among the Native Americans while also wanting to take home something to commemorate their visit. Gift shops and craft markets are a global source of income among tribes, many of whom could not live without their revenue, but it’s been the topic of debate for many years now of what should be given a price tag and what should not. Images like sand paintings, with their intricate representation of Navajo origin stories and other cultural icons, are often replicated without such sacred images in order to be sold to the public. By leaving out the stories that would normally be displayed on a sand painting, these paintings are not sacred. In fact, their sole purpose is to be sold to the public.

            It’s not hard to understand how thousands, or even millions of Americans wouldn’t know the difference between a sacred dry painting (another term for the sand paintings) and a regular woven rug. Many would just see the sticker or tag of authenticity and be happy with their purchase, spending ridiculous amounts of money for a conversation piece in their home. Unfortunately, some tribal members have come to realize that by spreading the difference between sacred and not, they can raise the number on the price tags. What can be considered rogue members of the tribe have been found recreating sacred images for resale among non tribal members in order to gain more private profit.

            Such a heartbreaking example doesn’t stop with the Navajo sandpaintings. From tribal stories to authentic sacred sand paintings and much more from their culture and their people, there are those who are willing to sell it all to turn a profit. Many tribes are suffering from the exploits of a handful of their members selling off culturally significant items, stories, or whatever else they can physically trade to the ignorant public without consulting the tribal elders. With so much of their culture, which has been kept secret from non tribal members, being sold and gaining worldwide attention, tribes are struggling to maintain a grasp on their identities. AS more and more becomes available to the public, less stays with the tribe. Meanwhile, the ‘adoring’ public continues the vicious cycle of supply and demand among the tribes.

            With so much being exposed to the public, tribes are learning to make adjustments to their cultural icons in order to try and maintain what the public has access to. This so-called ‘refinement’ ranges from changing the images in sand paintings to selling traditional Native American toys with a tag attached to explain their significance. Many face the gift shop demands as a sign of the change of the times and inevitably give into providing replicated products for the public. Tribes are adapting as best they can, selling imitations of their culture in order to preserve their people while struggling to keep the more sacred aspects of it hidden away. Others see it as stealing from them and fight back, refusing to compromise with any representations of their culture being given to the public. All in all tribes, Native American and others, across the globe are having to face these changing times in order to secure the future of their people through marketing off parts of their history and cultures.

As consumers we, the public, should take the time to consider what's really going on behind a stamp of authenticity. If we took the time to realize how much of our own culture sits on shelves would we be so complacent to buying others? Would we demand more? Keep these questions and others that could arise in mind the next time you visit a gift shop. Just because you can put a price tag on it doesn't mean you should.

Sources:

Admin. “Navajo Sandpaintings.” Native American Netroots, 9 Jan. 2012, nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/1222.

“Navajo Sandpaintings.” Navajo Sandpaintings, Also Called Dry Paintings, Are Used in Navajo Curing Ceremonies, 2019, navajopeople.org/navajo-sand-painting.htm.