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Excerpted
from an article printed in the June issue of Phoenix Home
and Garden.
 The
Churro breed of sheep were introduced by the Spaniards in
the mid 1500's upon their discovery and colonization of the
"New World". Having originated in the mountainous regions
of southern Spain, they were well adapted to the arid and
poor forage conditions of this new environment. Twice on the
brink of extinction, this hardy breed of sheep endures. In
1863, the Kit Carson/U.S. Military campaign to incarcerate
the Navajo people and destroy their economy {the sheep} was
successful in rounding up about half of the population, taking
them to Bosque Redondo and killing a large percentage of their
sheep. The escaping Navajo went into hiding with the remnants
of their flocks. Upon returning from "The Long Walk", they
were issued new breeds of sheep, which for the most part replaced
the Churro wool in their weaving. Some weaver's preference
for their "old wool" persisted, and many managed to rebuild
their Churro flocks. Later, in the 1930's, Congress enacted
the Taylor Grazing Act; tens of thousands of sheep were killed.
This federally enforced stock reduction program was the result
of overgrazing and the severe draught conditions of the dust
bowl era. Still a few bands
of Churro survived, secreted away in the remote canyons of
Navajo land. Navajo weavers first used Churro wool during
the classic period of Navajo weaving (1700-1863). The superior
quality of these weavings is very evident in the blankets
that have survived through time. The lustrous fibers of the
wool were long and straight, ideal for the limited hand methods
of Navajo weaving. Also, the low lanolin content reduced the
necessity for extensive cleaning in a land of little water.
In recent years, the efforts of a few dedicated breeders have
revived the Churro genetics and fleece quality. However, the
circle was not complete, as the wool wasn't getting into the
hands of Navajo weavers. The most successful effort to reintroduce
Churro wool to the Navajo loom was accomplished by native
Arizonan, Steve Getzwiller. He set out to revive some of the
older design elements as well as some rare and natural dyes.
The reintroduction of Churro wool brought those lustrous qualities
back to the finished weavings, completing the circle and reconnecting
some of the weavers with their past. "The Navajo Churro Collection"
was born.
Sheep = Fiber = Art
Each weaving from "The Churro Collection" is sequentially
numbered and accompanied by a certificate which includes:
the Registry Number, a photograph of the weaving and artist,
and all other information pertaining to the weaving. The ladies
love the wool and are clearly inspired by the new colors and
designs with which they are experimenting. Steve and all of
the weaving artists involved are very excited about the prospects
for their weaving in the future.
'The Navajo Churro Collection' is a special Navajo weaving
project commissioned by Steve Getzwiller
The Navajo Churro Collection weavings are available
for purchase or can be custom ordered. |
