Naranjo, Christina

The eldest daughter of Sara Fina Tafoya and Geronimo Tafoya, Christina Naranjo was Margaret Tafoya and Camilio Tafoya‘s older sister. She was born at Santa Clara Pueblo in 1891.

Like Margaret, Christina learned the traditional way to make pottery from their mother. Eventually, she became the matriarch of her own branch of the Tafoya family tradition, passing her knowledge and techniques on to her daughters Mary Cain, Mida Tafoya, Teresita Naranjo and Cecilia Naranjo, and to numerous other members of her extended family. That tradition has now been passed down to further descendants including Autumn Borts, Linda Cain, Tammy Garcia, Sharon Naranjo Garcia and Sherry Tafoya.

Known for making traditional blackware and redware, Christina formed, coiled, scraped, polished and carved many bowls, water jars, engagement baskets, wedding vases and candlestick holders. Her favorite designs to carve seem to have been kiva steps and the avanyu (the mythic Tewa water serpent). Like her mother Sarafina and sister Margaret, Christina made many larger pieces, larger than most being produced today.

Christina enjoyed making pottery so much that she kept working almost until the day she passed on in 1980.