K13 Black Yei Bi Chai
Black Yei Bi Chai by Navajo carver Milton Jordon. The 16.5” x 7.5” x 7” wood carving is on a 1.75” x 6” x 5.5” base. The figure has a bow in one hand and a wooden stake in the other.
The Black Yei Bi Chai represents the fire deity and the creator of constellations. He is the creator of fire and the fire drill which summons it. A fire drill is part of a Medicine Man’s medicine bundle and is used to start fires to induce sweating in healing rituals, such as the Night Way Ceremony.
About the artist
Milton Jordon
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
Milton Jordon is from the Lukachukai area on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. Milton is full Navajo. He has a degree in Art Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Navajo carver Jeremy Tso credits Milton for being an influence on his carving.
His carvings have won 1st and 2nd place at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial at Gallup, New Mexico in 2000 and again in 2001.
Milton’s carvings are represented in many collections throughout the U.S.
