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Here we have an astounding vintage Navajo huge handcarved silver buckle having 2 intricately handcarved silver bears, deep silver handcarvings and silver handstamped scallops all around! Positively Incredible! The belt size is about 1"⅝ Sterling silver, marked. Signed by Navajo artist, George begay. The buckle measures around 3" x 2"¼ Sturdy 39.1grams. History: George Begay "inherited" his Talents from the first George Begay, a Navajo code-talker in the Pacific theater of World War II. Begay the First's experiences far from his desert southwest home opened his eyes, metaphysically as well as metaphorically. He utilized his unusual Talents in the service of Navy Intelligence during the final years of the war with Japan. Upon returning home he found he could no longer live in what he perceived to be "subjugation" and virtual bondage to the US Government and corporate interests.
Begay founded the Native Nations movement, a loose political uprising demanding greater rights for native peoples throughout the United States. At a Native Nations convention in Wyoming in 1949 Begay took aside dozens of shamans, medicine men, and similar elders from dozens of tribes. At the conclusion of their private meeting, each and every one of them emerged with a variant on Begay's Talent set. This prompted extensive surveillance and study from Section 2 research personnel. The conclusion was that this was an American example of a phenomenon witnessed by British SSO agents in Africa and Australia where certain cultures steeped in shamanistic beliefs are able to "share" or "transfer" Talents within the paradigm of that culture.
In 1987, a dying George Begay took a rebellious young twenty-year-old Navajo into his hogan. A week later, the young man emerged, calling himself George Begay, and stepping into the shoes of his deceased predecessor. It is unknown whether the "spirit" of the original George Begay took the body of the younger man or if the transfer of power, name, and authority is symbolic, or if there is really a distinction between the two. Whatever the case, George Begay continues to be the spiritual and political leader of an influential Native American movement.
VINTAGE: Circa 1970s.
