" The Churro Sheep: The Source of Quality Fiber for Navajo Weaving
The Churra (later corrupted to "Churro" by American frontiersmen) sheep were brought by the Spanish on their travels to the New World. They were a hardy and adaptable breed. It was the wool from Churro sheep that provided the fiber for Navajo textiles. The fleece of the sheep is admired for a range of natural characteristics, including luster, soft feel, a multitude of natural colors, and durability. However, the Churro sheep were soon to become an endangered breed due to a variety of factors engendered by government policy.
The original Churro stock
on ranches outside of Navajo territory was interbred with other sheep breeds
to increase the supply of wool and food as demand increased because of a growing
population and the Civil War. In 1863, the U.S. government began a policy of
livestock destruction in retaliation for so-called raids and overgrazing of
the land. Basically, in an effort to control the Navajo and inflict retribution,
the Churro were destroyed in vast numbers by the Army. This policy continued
well into the early part of the Twentieth Century. In the early 1900's, the
federal government continued to slaughter the remaining Churro sheep on Navajo
land with the introduction of so-called better breeds in order to increase livestock
quality. The few remaining sheep were to be found in a few villages and canyons.
However, the replacement sheep were not as hardy and did not do well in the
harsh environment that the Navajo had been relegated to. The quality of the
wool derived from the so-called better sheep proved nowhere near the equal of
the Churro sheep. As a consequence of all these interventions, Navajo rug weaving
suffered due to the absence of quality wool, and textile production fell precipitously.
Thankfully, there are individuals with foresight and vision who know about the continued value to be derived from the Churro. During the 1970's, programs were begun to preserve the breed and increase the population. New flocks have been developed, and a number of cooperative projects are now under way. For example, access the World Wide Web site of Diné bí' íína', a nonprofit organization founded by Navajo women. The organization promotes the interest of the Navajo Nation Sheep and Goat Producers. However, unlike many other organizations concerned only with the quality of the wool and economic matters, the organization is managed by people who are aware of the cultural and spiritual dimensions of the Churro sheep in Navajo society. You will find pictures of one of the critters here, too. Another example is the work of the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association, demonstrating the goal of a large group of people to preserve and promote the breed for its unique quality, as well as, the financial incentives that accrue to the production of textile products using Churro wool.
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