I need help describing this Southwestern shape/pattern
March 31, 2016 7:25 AM Subscribe
I need to describe the pattern running along the wall in Bashas' Diné Market and I'm having trouble coming up with the words. Help?
Bashes' Diné Market is a supermarket chain in Arizona that has stores on the Navajo Reservation. I need help describing the pattern of repeating reddish-brown shapes that run above the word "Bakery" in this picture. Is it just a pyramid? If I called it a stepped pyramid, would you know what I was talking about? Do you have other ideas for how I should describe it?
This is all for a story I'm writing, and it's a relatively minor detail, but it's bothering me that I can't figure out how to describe it properly.
Bashes' Diné Market is a supermarket chain in Arizona that has stores on the Navajo Reservation. I need help describing the pattern of repeating reddish-brown shapes that run above the word "Bakery" in this picture. Is it just a pyramid? If I called it a stepped pyramid, would you know what I was talking about? Do you have other ideas for how I should describe it?
This is all for a story I'm writing, and it's a relatively minor detail, but it's bothering me that I can't figure out how to describe it properly.
Best answer: I'd probably call it a stepped motif. Take a look at the rugs here - especially the Ganados. The decor in the grocery store is echoing the patterns of the woven rugs.
posted by Squeak Attack at 7:42 AM on March 31, 2016
posted by Squeak Attack at 7:42 AM on March 31, 2016
Best answer: I've seen it used as a symbol for rain/snow, but I don't think it's particularly Diné.
posted by answergrape at 7:43 AM on March 31, 2016
posted by answergrape at 7:43 AM on March 31, 2016
Best answer: Yeah, I think Squeak Attack is correct that it's a weaving motif. (Not a pyramid, not a ziggurat, those are primarily from clear on the other side of the world and don't make sense in the context you're talking about.) Some of the Dine weaving motifs have names or origin stories, but if this one does it's not easily googled. Navajo Weaving Way is a book that might have more info.
posted by clavicle at 7:52 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by clavicle at 7:52 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
Coping.
You could call it "adobe coping," or possibly "pueblo coping."
posted by yesster at 8:03 AM on March 31, 2016
You could call it "adobe coping," or possibly "pueblo coping."
posted by yesster at 8:03 AM on March 31, 2016
You can probably safely generically describe it as a stepped pattern or design. Don't use the word pyramid. (I would go with a descriptive term, like stepped, rather than listing a possible interpretation, as I think that would be more respectful toward the culture.)
You see it in Navajo/Diné textiles, baskets, etc.. I've heard the symbolism described as clouds or mountains. See here for an example of such a description (read the catalogue description at this link for more detail). See also interpretation 2 here. You see it in use by Puebloan people as well, called clouds/rain clouds, mountains, or sometimes kiva (ceremonial structure) steps (Navajo don't use kivas though).
Anyway, like I said, there are various meanings ascribed to this design in the Southwest, it's not unique to the Navajo/Diné either, so it is probably safest just to call it a stepped pattern, design or motif.
posted by gudrun at 8:44 AM on March 31, 2016
You see it in Navajo/Diné textiles, baskets, etc.. I've heard the symbolism described as clouds or mountains. See here for an example of such a description (read the catalogue description at this link for more detail). See also interpretation 2 here. You see it in use by Puebloan people as well, called clouds/rain clouds, mountains, or sometimes kiva (ceremonial structure) steps (Navajo don't use kivas though).
Anyway, like I said, there are various meanings ascribed to this design in the Southwest, it's not unique to the Navajo/Diné either, so it is probably safest just to call it a stepped pattern, design or motif.
posted by gudrun at 8:44 AM on March 31, 2016
Depends on what you're trying to communicate and who your audience is. Is it to express to the reader that it's a Navajo-inspired design to capture the setting? You'd have to get that across somehow ...
"Navajo-inspired designs like stepped patterns..." or even just leave it to the reader's imagination as "Navajo motifs" unless there's a good reason to include it. Of course you'd want to do it a little more creatively than that, but if the reader's unfamiliar with Navajo design, just calling it a "stepped motif" without anything further would probably lead to some confusion.
Unless you have good reason to include it, like it's important to the story, you could always just leave it out. "Supermarket adorned with Southwestern motifs..." at most. It's up to what your purpose/audience is.
posted by gehenna_lion at 12:17 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
"Navajo-inspired designs like stepped patterns..." or even just leave it to the reader's imagination as "Navajo motifs" unless there's a good reason to include it. Of course you'd want to do it a little more creatively than that, but if the reader's unfamiliar with Navajo design, just calling it a "stepped motif" without anything further would probably lead to some confusion.
Unless you have good reason to include it, like it's important to the story, you could always just leave it out. "Supermarket adorned with Southwestern motifs..." at most. It's up to what your purpose/audience is.
posted by gehenna_lion at 12:17 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: On this page, which shows summaries of "Pueblo" and "Navajo" motifs, those are categorized as a Pueblo motif for mountains, and if they were upside down, they would be clouds.
posted by jamjam at 12:52 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by jamjam at 12:52 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
It is the crenelated pattern from the outer edges of Navajo ceremonial baskets.
posted by Oyéah at 8:33 PM on March 31, 2016
posted by Oyéah at 8:33 PM on March 31, 2016
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posted by easily confused at 7:41 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]