Photograph by Lynn Lown. Copyright 1978 School for Advanced Research.
Blanket | Shocha
Date: 1870-1880
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
170 x 127 cm (66 15/16 x 50 in.)
Medium: wool | dyes
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1925.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.T1
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit June 20 and 21, 2012 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 8”): This piece was listed in the catalog as Diné (Navajo), despite the fact that Kate Peck Kent had expressed the opinion that it was Zuni. After having examined several similar textiles that are known to be Zuni, and seeing Kent’s, IARC staff wanted Mr. Enote and Mr. Seowtewa to examine this one as well. They agreed that it is probably a Zuni shocha, based on weaving style and the banded pattern.
This is a ceremonial textile called a “shocha” in the Zuni language. Shochas were woven by men in the kivas and worn by men specifically for use in ceremonies. For example, during Shalako, each koyemshi would wear a shocha. These textiles were kept for ceremonial use and were not items of everyday use or wear. They are usually loosely-woven plain weave textiles, quite different from the tighter twill weave of the ba’inne (manta/shawl) textiles.
In a contemporary context, shochas are now used in the home, either stored or put on display. Today, commercially-made saddle blankets or Navajo-made rugs are often used in place of shochas. This piece should be considered ceremonial because it was made to be worn in a ceremonial context.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.