Totsoh South, Lukachukai by junge1
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Totsoh South is a sub-division within Lukachukai, Navajo Reservation. The day had been overcast with snow flurries in the morning, but by noon it started to clear up.
This is a typical scene within Lukachukai with the Lukachukai Mountains in the background. The hogan visible in the center appears to be fairly new and maybe prefabricated and appears to be the primary home. The stacked wood is in preparation for the winter. Lukachukai is at an elevation of slightly above 6,000-ft.
The preference of hogan construction and use is still very popular among the Navajos, although the use of it as a home shelter dwindled through the 1900's, due mainly by the requirements by many Navajos to acquire homes built through government and lender funding - which largely ignored the hogan-style and the sacred space - in preference for low cost, low bid HUD (U.S. Housing and Urban Development) - standardized construction.
With government and lender requirements requiring low costs, as well as bathrooms and kitchens, the hogan as a person's home was dwindling away, save for those who build their own.
That began to officially change in the late 1990's with various small projects to find ways to bring the hogan back. In 2001, it began changing significantly with a joint-venture of a partnership involving the Navajo Nation, Northern Arizona University, the US Forest Service and other private and public partners - to begin manufacturing and building log hogans from a Navajo-majority owned log home factory in Cameron, Arizona, next to the Cameron Chapter House.
Using surplus small-diameter wood being culled out of the Northern Arizona forests to mitigate devastating wildfires, and with a series of meetings between elders, medicine men, and project leaders - a log hogan revival is being born right on the Navajo Nation.
While keeping the sacred space of the hogan relatively untouched, and also meeting the requirements for modern home amenities, an ancient tradition is now once again beginning to flourish. Along with assuring the survival of a cultural heritage, this project has also created new jobs, summer school construction experience for Navajo teens, and public buildings, and much more (Wikipedia).
This picture was taken on 17 November 2003,
Sig...

Comments (42)
outstanding capture beautiful very well done
Great photo and fascinating and great information Very cool Sig
That look like unreal Hiii... But it is true. Hiiiii Great pic of this place for sure ((5++))
that good. if you ask me it would look like the makeing of a hogan be cheap to make. i do not know about the bath rooms or kitchens in a hogan as I do not know about they way of life at all. i see they still use wood to heat houses still.
I do not see any Chevy pickups but one Chevy van. beautiful landscape Sig
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
Good that these traditions are being revived. A wonderful photo - the sunlight on the formations in the background make this spectacular photo really pop! Excellent!
This is a beauty shot, what "Big sky"!
@ Richardphotos: The Chevy pickups are probably out in the woods getting more firewood lol!
Wonderful capture Sig of this beautiful landscape!! Very interesting information!
yeah must keep the culture. the chase for money and gold ruined these people and now the least the whiteys can do is keep the culture supported.
An excellent shot and very interesting informations. Very beautiful sky and light.
so great to see this amazing landscape and your informations about , Sig !
A very beautiful scene with the sun striking selected parts.
Oh my. Just look at the light on those rocks! Gorgeous. If I had that view, I'd never go anywhere. Great capture!
Great shot and info Sig great that they are using the hogan's still..
I remember...I was invited by an Indian named Dennis (?) but I declined the invetation because he was already drunk...a pity. Thanks for sharing.
Love this capture a lot!
great pic and thank you for the great info!
Wonderful capture!
Das ist schön zu hören, dass alte Kulturen und ihre Werte wieder aufleben!!!Thanks
Nice Job Sig! The Navajo people have a beautiful heritage
Xcellent DOF!
Beautiful view.. Aloha
Awesome picture and history.
Lovely lighting. great info.
Great read Sig! And fabulous picture, I love the sun shining on those hills at the back there, wonderful.. A fine and interesting shot! Rob
Fine shot & definitely worth a zoom...
Gorgeous shot!!!!!!
Splendid landscape and photo!