Béésh Łigaii Yitsidí: Who Disciplines Who?

Triston Black

Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate, Emphasis Area: Silversmithing

Silverware Set, Triston Black

I am a just a few days away from graduation - four days to be exact from receiving my certificate in Navajo Cultural Arts from Diné College. Over the past 2 semesters, I have taken the initiative to bring myself closer to our Navajo cultural arts, focusing specifically on silversmithing. My silversmithing instructor, Lyndon Tsosie from The House of Stamps, helped to bring our my Diné creativity. One of the many experiences that I will walk away with is a new level of respect and admiration for the discipline of silversmithing. Or rather, I learned that silversmithing will discipline you. 

Béésh Łigaii Yitsidí makes you use the process of Nitsáhákéés, Nahat’á, Iiná, dóó Siih Hasin.

• Nitsáhákéés: When you think about what you want to design on paper first, there might be obstacles that tell you no or you can’t but if you critically think about the foundation first, then the journey will eliminate those obstacles and you will overcome them.
  • Nahat’á: After you put thought into it, then you can plan out your design with the tools, materials, and resources you have around you. You got to make it work with the metal and the metal will work with you.
    • Iiná: Once you have established that relationship with your materials, then you can take action in stamping, shaping, forming, and buffing/polishing your craftsmanship.
      • Siih Hasin: Finally, you can take the time to reevaluate yourself, find out where you can improve, maybe you needed to file around the edges, or you could have made a digger impression.​

It is all part of the learning process, so throughout your experience you discipline yourself to improve yourself as an artisan and the pieces you create. In return, silversmithing disciplines you and your pieces create you.

​Don’t be afraid of the metal or hammer when stamping, get the feel for it and your hammer will recognize you as a person. Talk to the metal about your intentions, then the metal knows your purpose and will work with you. That is what I have come to learn as an emerging artisan. Once you get the hang of it, then your Diné mind will create unique and special constructions.

​ You have the potential of using your Diné mind, you just got to open it and you can run with it.