Wind Way Collage Basket (2001)

In Wind Way Collage Peggy Black fills her basket with sacred figures and imagery from Diné (Navajo) ceremonies. Dancers circle a warm fire as they participate in Níłch’ijí (the Wind Way). Their songs invoke sacred eagles, heroes, and medicine men. Even lightning attends. Can you see its red jagged streaks? The Hero Twins stand next to First Frog. Look for him in spotted black, sending the rain. Circling through the middle of the basket is Niłch’i Diyin (Holy Wind), portrayed by a twisting geometric rainbow. The Diné believe this entity exists everywhere, an elemental force in which all living things participate. Peggy places two rainbow Yé’ii (Diné gods) riding its colorful path, bridging the world of people and their ceremonies with the world of the spirits.