Collections

Blanket | Shocha

Date: 1800-1850

Artist or Maker: Unknown

Dimensions:

37.2 x 94 cm (14 5/8 x 37 in.)

Medium: wool | dyes

Credit Line: Courtesy of the School for Advanced Research. Obtained by the Indian Arts Fund from Ina Sizer Cassidy, year unknown.

Place Made:

Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America

Object Number: SAR.1981-1-16

Not on view

DescriptionA shocha blanket ("shocha" is the Zuni word for this type of blanket) made of handspun wool. The white and brown are the natural colors of the wool, and the blue is dyed with indigo. It is woven with single warp and weft. Three large holes are present in the textile, with a smaller hole in one corner. The selvedges on both ends are entirely unraveled and badly frayed. One end has unraveled to more than halfway through the outer band brown and blue stripes.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksOctavius Seowtewa during collection review visit Nov. 16 and 17, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 3”): 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)

Zuni Collection

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.