C457 Female Yei Bi Chai
Female Yei Bi Chai by Navajo carver Jeremy Tso. The 11” x 4” x 4” cottonwood carving is on a 2” base.
The Nightway ceremony is a major curative ceremony which restores harmony. It invokes the Yeis, a special category of Holy People who are inclined to help the Navajo. During ceremony, a team will be composed of fourteen dancers: the leader Yei bi chai (Talking God), six male dancers, six women dancers, and the Water Sprinkler.
The Female Yeis wear square blue masks that cover only the front of their faces. The masks allow their hair to flow free, therefore, the women dancers do not wear a spruce ruff like the men. They do carry spruce or feathers but no gourd rattles. If a Female Yei is impersonated by a woman, the clothing is a traditional dress with a red sash and white deerskin leggings. If a Female Yei is impersonated by a man, the clothing is the same as that of the Male Yei.
About the artist
Jeremy Tso
Jeremy Tso
Tribe: Navajo
Jeremy was born June 12, 1968 at Ganado, Arizona and grew up at Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. He is the son of Justin Tso (Navajo artist) and Marjorie, Justin’s first wife.
He presently lives in Flagstaff, Arizona and has four children.
Jeremy is a full time artist and kachina carver. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Northern Arizona University.
He has been carving since childhood and is known for his Yei Kachinas. He has been carving professionally for about ten years. He credits Navajo carver, Milton Jordon for having the largest influence on his work.
Jeremy Tso has won numerous awards, and his art is in many collections throughout the United States as well as abroad.
