Fiber Preparation and Spinning on a Navajo Spindle with TahNibaa Naataanii

TahNibaa Naataanii of Golden Navajo Churro Sheep Corral brings us the sights, sounds, songs, and stories of tending, preparing, and spinning her flock’s fiber in the way that her ancestors taught her. Naataanii tends a flock of Navajo Churro in a range of stunning natural colors and transforms their fleeces into fiber, felt, yarn, and both traditional and modern weavings. Naataanii is always very generous with her time demonstrating at the festival.
To see more of TahNibaa Naataanii’s work, visit www.tahnibaanavajoweavings.art... or email her at [e-mail].
To learn more about the Navajo-Churro, visit the Navajo Churro Sheep Association's website, www.navajo-churrosheep.com

[@okaminess]

Congratulations TahNibaa’, for your 2022 National Heritage Fellowship. This weaver and shepherd got recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

This video was a joy to watch. My mother’s family can be traced back to Polish spinners and weavers who moved from Poland to Flanders and The Netherlands out of poverty back when the Flemish cloth and tapestry industry was famous and profitable. They settled, integrated, became prosperous themselves. Somehow the art of spinning and weaving appeals to me and fascinates me but I’ve never taken the plunge more than very occasional dabbling. The background is vastly different, there is no comparison between the paths history has taken our families. But it strikes a chord. I do have a deep respect for family and for tradition. Maybe it’s that… One thing I absolutely loved was the connection you can feel throughout this video. The introduction alone: connecting to both the the maternal and paternal lines, followed by “I am a mother, I am a daughter, I am a weaver…” 💖 Every fiber in the yarn and later in the finished fabric is going to breathe the respect, the love, the tradition of the spinner and weaver. That makes the resulting work invaluable. Thank you.

[@caraamethyst6956]

I could listen to her speak and watch her spin for hours

[@TheNeophyteKnitter-wf7yl]

It was such an honor to watch your beautiful demonstration and to listen to your melodic voice. Thank you for sharing your culture and teaching us about your process. I am a knitter who lives in Amsterdam but moved from Arizona a couple of years ago. I work in yarn procurement for a knit shop and am trying to learn all I can about the process from land to sheep, to fleece to the people that prepare the yarn for handmade projects. I am so inspired to learn to prepare yarn and spin it myself.

[@sandrataylor2323]

My paternal grandmother taught me how to card cotton. She would pick the leftover cotton from the local farms after they had finished harvesting their crop. She would use the cotton in her quilting and would use them to restuff mattress ticks and pillows. I admire this lady for her traditional tribal use of using natural materials from start to finish. A lovely legacy to leave to future generations.

[@DeborahRosen99]

The way your voice weaves the song into the work with your land and your traditions brought tears to my eyes. Blessings to you and to yours: I stumbled upon your video today, but it's been an honor to learn so much from you.

[@darkfaequeen9031]

I've never seen a Navajo Spindle, that is so cool. I feel like I could really get into spinning that way

[@Bolineandhob]

Right?!?! I'm teaching myself support neolithic and I am gonna try that technique

[@Freespiritarts]

I raised Navajo Churro for many years. I loved my sheep.

[@alisonhenry820]

Wow! An artist, carrier of traditional skills, language and knowledge, AND a veteran?! Aho! Gchi-miigwech for sharing your gifts, knowledge, and stories 🥰

[@Bolineandhob]

I cherish people who are preserving traditional fiber arts and the folkways that accompany those arts❤. Thank you for sharing with us!

[@VermisTerrae]

I'm a lifelong (albeit young) knitter, and I've just started learning to spin fiber. This was so awesome! I love the the idea of a large spindle used with your lap instead of a drop spindle. Thank you for sharing your experience and songs with us :)

[@msjennable]

I'm drawn so innately to things that reflect my heritage.

[@bweaverla]

TahNibaa, thank you very much for showing your video on KZbin. Showing how your fiber arts are intertwined with your land, heritage, language, songs, ancestral stories, memories of your parents and grandparents and your ranching is very impactful for me. The colors of your sheep are very beautiful, especially the dark brown which looks black on the video screen. I am a spinner and weaver of 40 years. I was captivated by the way you spin. I am going to try it.

[@WildernessgalM]

Thank you. I've seen old historical photographs where the wool was slapped upon cacti (pre card era). Enjoy your wool/sheep...my family and I raise sheep as well. ❤️🙏

[@barbaraschiffner6249]

Thank you so much for sharing your traditions. I was given a Navajo leg spindle by a friend who knew I used a spinning wheel for my alpaca fiber. It was given to her many years back by a friend as well. Now I know how to use this wonderful gift that was given to me and have a clue to the traditions. (Yes neither one of us are Navajo) it will make a difference of how I approach this technique.

[@LD-hk4bx]

Much gratitude! Your song resonates within my soul. Feelings of honor and respect for your family traditions, the land, and bringing your skills through the process of creating beautiful weaving.

[@ittybittykittymama7582]

I don't believe I could have said it better than Deborah Rosen, above. She is an eloquent writer and a keenly perceptive person. May I add my simple gratirude to you, ma'am, for sharing your ancient wisdom, your beautiful songs and your powerful medicine with those of us who would seek to learn at your knee. Many thanks from Tennessee!

[@ulrikakarlstrand3074]

Thankyou TahNibaa Naataanii for sharing. Loved to hear you sing and talk about your culture. So interesting to learn about Navajo spinning! Would really love to see more from you. Love from Sweden

[@jemts5586]

Thank you for inviting us into your home to watch you spin! I loved the singing and the stories, and that soothing sound of the spindle spinning away. It was a lovely experience!

[@CondorsCroft]

Beautiful thank you for sharing your voice and song! It brought tears to my eyes. I have no knowledge of my ancestors as it was hidden by my great grandmother for her protection and her children as I have come to understand. I wonder how much of my love for fiber arts and even the urge to get sheep comes from my ancestors.

[@wildryenochaser9112]

Thank you for the demo carried along by your beautiful singing!

[@tazzyhyena6369]

Thank you, TahNibaa Naataanii, for sharing the songs and stories and keeping these historic traditions alive. I found myself trying to sing along with her, though I don't think I did very well. I know zero Diné.

[@PAFerra]

Many thanks TahNibaa for sharing your skills, wisdom and insights on weaving, spinning, carding and herding your flock. Such beautiful work you do! I hope you will be able to show some weaving at some point. You are truly an inspiration 😊

[@chesneymigl4538]

Beautiful, so calming to watch. It's why I got interested in fiber arts; the feeling of being grounded into your work. It's satisfying to see tangible progress and transformation.

[@effortlesszone]

Thank you so much. I came onto KZbin looking for information about Navajo spindles and spinning to share with a long-time friend who is a new spinner, and I found your wonderful video. I had the honor of visiting with your mother on the Navajo Nation a long time ago--likely the summer of 1996. So glad to "meet" you through this video.

[@emilystreetman9453]

Thank you for this lovely demonstration - the minutes where you are just singing and spinning are so soothing. I love learning the types of activities that were historically evening-womens'-social types of things. A lot of my fiber and textile hobbies fit in here, even though I do them alone nowadays

[@FreyaWarr]

I love seeing how different cultures and communities spin their fibers. It’s such a common craft world wide with such beautiful variations. Thank you for sharing your art and craft with us ❤

[@carmenclement9068]

Preciosa melodía señora, qué bonita manera de trabajar cantando,cuánta cultura nos dejaron nuestros antepasados, felicitaciones,saludos desde Argentina.

[@riverrun1616]

Aheehee for sharing! I love this so much!!! I wish I could have learned this from my grandmother before she passed away.

[@sunshinemary8102]

What magic those hands do.....thank you for sharing!

[@ravenshaw2495]

This made me feel calm before going to work, thank you

[@KnittingFairyGrandPrairie]

Thank you, TahNibaa. Your beautiful voice and stories have been the highlight of my day.

[@tigerwalton545]

My first attempt at spinning was on a Navajo spindle, and after trying other types, I always come back to this method. It's so relaxing. And you give yourself a nice leg massage in the process!

[@francoissuissae6217]

Great documenting of traditional navajo first nations practices continue! Before all the ancient knowledge passes away

[@PaulaLynne53]

Am so blessed to be able to listen to your singing and hearing you share some about your life..I watched you show some of your spinning..A gifted artist..Blessings to you.

[@user-ff8tg2jz9k]

Yah a teh Nahnibaa, u got some good looking sheep there.good singing too.

[@TheUnwrittenWriter]

What a privilege to be here.

[@jennifertucker1001]

Thank you for sharing your talent and for sharing your beautiful song. Thank you also for sharing your culture

[@bella-bee]

What a beautiful turquoise bracelet.

[@windycitystitchersflosstub8711]

Thanks for your video! I’m getting ready to do a lesson on textiles for my husband’s 6th grade classes... beautiful song, too - thx for explaining the meaning of it to you. 💕

[@sabrinaweaver5535]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work, language, songs and meanings. It’s so beautiful and calming.

[@XxPooPxX1991]

Ahéhee'! I miss home and shimá sáni. Ill keep that song with me.

[@cathygoates4720]

Your work and love are beautiful! Thank You so much for sharing your life with us! Cathy

[@MelanieMcKenna]

Thank you for sharing your life and traditions, as well as that of the Navajo people. The world needs to learn about you and your people. Keep singing!

[@doralevitt2879]

Love your video, you have beautiful sheep with gorgeous colors- greetings from this NYC spinner!! 😄🤗💚🌷💜

[@homesteadwannabee4253]

Looking through you tube, learning about spindles, and stumbled onto a beautiful soul. Thank you for posting. Blessings ~

[@jaxtelford807]

Work and song go together, not like the insensate noise from the Radio, but son from the soul. Thank you for this, and the lesson in Navajo spinning.

[@rowangreen2373]

Thank you for sharing your art, livelihood, and teachings.

[@mcsnygg]

Thank you so much for the demo on Navajo spinning. And the language and song lessons. I enjoyed it! Where did you get your spindle? Or perhaps you made it yourself?

[@mickeydinges8191]

I love the beautiful colors of your churro sheep, and the funny way they inspected the camera in the opening scene. I stayed with a Dine" family sometimes in the summer, and loved spinning. It was so soothing. Watching you card and sing and spin brings back many memories.

[@patriziapanetta2021]

May your songs live for ever and vibrate on our shame. Love and peace

[@lisajoydesignsoftaos5512]

Hi TahNibaa! Great video... and i love the Rio Grande wheel in the background, of course...

[@Gracia144JesusSaves]

Thank you TahNibaa for Sharing youre Story i learned, i am observing different techniques of spinning , beautifull song you sing in the beginning and the sheep are beautifull and the whool to course and the weaving and youre smile in the end.

[@kathleendanley6082]

Beautiful, I so admire your skill and traditions!

[@electrorice]

This is so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

Thank you. This is wonderful.

[@barbaradouglas9739]

What a wonderful video, thank you.

[@Verityville]

Loving and peaceful craft. It’s beautiful.

[@khespera]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing

[@ms.beatle248]

Thank you for your video.

[@colleenwiles4082]

Loved watching your Video !, beautiful ❤️

[@lolaost9559]

Such a beautiful way to work. Singing and carrying tradition. Thank you for sharing your light. I am not native but I always feel such a connection with the old ways that I feel emotional about it.

[@tewellmg]

Very informative on so many levels!

[@jam4441]

Thank you for sharing, your generosity is much appreciated.

[@neanderthalnonsense]

What a great video. Thanks for sharing. You make spinning look very easy. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@thebitsntipsfamily7879]

that is beautiful!

[@sandyphipps9725]

much love, beautiful Lady.

[@Freespiritarts]

Thank you very much for sharing your culture with us all.

[@mariem8857]

Absolutely beautiful cultural traditions!

[@Merlin-ur1dz]

Great song just love it and I see my mom Thanks you ❤

[@carolbulmer8253]

Thank you so much for sharing this🙏

[@1stDecomaniac]

Thank you so very much for sharing.

[@lissafoulds9721]

Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@corvuscorone7735]

Beautiful.

[@candismunster1720]

Beautiful and fascinating! Thank you ❤

[@LadyFrosti]

Thank you for sharing your history with everyone.

[@skepticalmom2948]

You are a beautiful lady singing a beautiful song. My mother was from New Mexico, she grew up in estancia and knew Navajo People and told us stories of the festivals and the gods. I’m learning to spin by hand and your technique is really very interesting and very fast. Thank you very much.

[@jessicajackson9164]

This video brought me peace and joy thank you so much for sharing.

[@lauriemass3439]

You are awesome

[@angelacarter6593]

Thank you so much.

[@tatiananaugolnykh]

Soooooooooo beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have outmost admiration !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@polarisjq]

thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

[@user-yx8jm8ej3o]

Thank you!

[@janellestroschein9905]

I wish I could spend the day listening to you❤

[@legoduckie]

This video is so vibes

[@sharkweek44]

Thankyou for sharing 🌻

[@millieo7155]

Nice hearing your song.

[@bella-bee]

Now that’s a long draw!

[@cosyla1928]

thanks for sharing!

[@kathykaura7219]

Peaceful.

[@tasanijanus7092]

As I remember it 💓

[@joyavanessen3704]

Thank you.

[@maratyirka3359]

Thank You

[@erikaalbert-johnston4426]

Thank you

[@TaVolga]

Спасибо!

[@cawstongreenway]

Great Video :)

[@SteelePictures]

I loved watching and listening to TahNibaa! I would love to know who made this video. I would appreciate a link to the filmmaker's info.Thank you for sharing this video.

[@fiendehont1531]

Thank you ! 😍

[@msjennable]

Beautiful ❤️

[@user-ru3cx6uo8n]

現代的坊織娘,手藝真巧,要非常有耐心地坐著做著