5 x 7 Vintage Yeibichai Navajo-Style Rug 78934

78934 Vintage Yeibichai Navajo-Style Rug, 04'09 x 07'00.

This captivating handwoven cotton vintage Yeibichai Navajo-style kilim rug beautifully depicts a sacred ceremonial dance known as the Yei Bi Chei or Nightway ceremony, a healing ritual integral to Native American culture. The pictorial rug showcases ten dancers adorned with traditional regalia, including kilts, moccasins, face masks, and foxtails, each meticulously rendered in soft hues of peach, sky blue, and gray on a neutral beige backdrop. The rhythmic repetition of these figures creates a sense of movement, as though the ceremonial participants are performing their sacred dance, inviting the observer into the spiritual world of healing practices.

The Yei Bi Chei ceremony plays a central role in spiritual healing, invoking supernatural beings who act as intermediaries between the human and spiritual realms. In this Navajo-style kilim rug, the dancers assume the roles of these sacred figures, their masks and costumes visually representing the connection between the earthly and divine. This depiction is both a celebration of Indigenous culture and a testament to the profound significance of the healing ceremony. Each dancer is carefully detailed, from the flowing foxtails to the delicately patterned kilts, reflecting the weaver’s dedication to preserving these cultural traditions.

The intricate scroll border surrounding the central scene further enhances the ceremonial atmosphere. Geometric patterns in pastel shades of peach and sky blue interweave, framing the dance with a sense of order and harmony. These angular motifs are characteristic of traditional designs, representing the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds. The jagged zigzag elements in the border may symbolize the flow of energy or lightning, reinforcing the rug’s connection to the sacred powers invoked during the Yei Bi Chei dance.

A vintage Yeibichai-style flatweave rug such as this one is not only a work of art but also a cultural artifact, preserving the spiritual heritage of its community. The careful weaving of the figures and symbols in this flatweave rug encapsulates a deep reverence for tradition and the power of ritual. As a decorative piece, it brings with it the history and spirituality of its origins, serving as both a visual and cultural centerpiece for any space.

• Abrash.
• Handwoven cotton.
• Made in Mexico.
• Measures: 04'09 x 07'00.
• Pile Height: 0.10 of an inch.
• Date: 1960's. Mid-20th Century.