Navajo Art and Mugs - The Legend of Hashtl'ishnii (Mud People) Clan

“Art unfolds in most beautiful ways through history”. Speaking of art, it is intriguing to know that various art enthusiasts have developed a fascination with Navajo art inspired mugs. When an art lover sips his morning coffee in a Navajo mug, he might not think that there is a whole story behind the creation of the Navajo art.

Let’s explore the roots of the creation of Navajo art and culture by looking at the legend behind the mud people clan.

The Legend

The Navajo tribe is a Native American tribe which inhabits the Navajo nation. They define themselves as Dine (the people) and idealize “the changing woman”. According to the legend, It is this woman who created the four Navajo clans by giving them different symbols. The Hashtl'ishnii or the mud people clan were gifted a cane (gish) by the changing woman, thus giving skills and creativity to these members. This is how these people created various Navajo art designs, mugs, and jewelry.

Activities by Hashtl'ishnii (Mud People Clan)

Going by the legend, the mud people clan in the Navajo tribe uses their skills in creating various designs. The patterns are found on various mugs and jewelry. In addition, the mud people clan is known to engage in weaving. They have woven various rugs both for domestic and economic purposes. The Hashtl'ishnii clan people practice different art and crafts. Their creativity can be found in different pottery works done by them. The artisans are known to use abstract geometric patterns and darker colors in their art.

Navajo creations- Mugs v/s Clan Cups

The Navajo mugs and the clan cups may sound similar, but in actuality, they are two unique concepts. Conventionally, the mugs have Navajo patterns engraved on them which are either created by artists or by the people of the clan. Clan cups, on the contrary, are mugs which have names of different clans engraved on them. They can be a set of two-three mugs or one mug which has the name of the clan in the native and the English language.

As you know about the legend behind Navajo art, it’s time you included new items like Navajo art mugs in your collection. Browse through the websites of various Navajo item retailers.