The Cloud People are Holy People who are often associated with the Wind Ceremony

Tempe, AZ Today’s very contemporary looking rug is woven by Regina Bia of Burnt Corn Valley, AZ and in fact Regina is the only person I have ever known to weave this particular design.  I can’t find any pictures of them newer than 2008, so it’s possible that Regina’s not weaving them at all right now.  Of course she might have done one that I haven’t seen!  The picture above shows the weaving superimposed over a larger “washout” background of the same weaving, just to clarify what you’re looking at.  The picture had to fit into an 8 1/2″ x 11″ aspect ratio for the project that I working on.  I couldn’t find the original picture quickly, so I went with this one.  The rules are that the first picture I see that catches my eye is the rug of the day, and this one was it.

Despite the spare and modern appearance of this design, the Cloud People are associated many ceremonies and particularly with the Navajo Windway, one of the religious rites conducted to eliminate illness and to restore harmony.  In Navajo cosmology, all things have a spirit and are regarded as people.  Clouds, as part of nature, fall under this all encompassing spirituality.  This concept also extends to one’s words, thoughts and actions, which have a spirit which continues as long as there is anyone to remember them and as such should be considered carefully for their lasting effect.

Regina wove this approximately 3′ x 3′ piece with commercial Brown Sheep yarn.  I have loved this design ever since I first saw it at the Crownpoint Rug Auction, but I always seem to end up helping other people to buy one.  I’m very grateful to have a picture of Regina’s vision of the  towering Cloud People standing sentinel in the night sky.

Hagoshíí (so long for now)

Mary Walker