Female Yei’ be’ Chei’ Lightning Buckle by Lester James (Navajo)

Sterling Silver | Turquoise Inlay | Tufa Cast

In Navajo culture, there are both male and female hogans, as well as male and female Yei’ be’ Chei’ figures. This buckle represents a female Yei’, identified by the rectangular-shaped head, a traditional visual distinction within Navajo ceremonial imagery.

Among the Diné people, female Yei’—also known as Yébaad—are benevolent Holy People associated with healing, fertility, natural forces, and the restoration of hózhó, the Navajo philosophy of harmony, balance, and beauty. These sacred beings act as spiritual mediators between humanity and the universe, carrying deep ceremonial meaning.

In this remarkable buckle, Navajo silversmith Lester James depicts the female Yei’ holding lightning bolts, symbols of divine power, protection, swiftness, and the sacred energy believed to awaken and nourish vegetation. The imagery recalls traditional Navajo sandpaintings used during healing ceremonies, where Holy People and sacred symbols are carefully created and later destroyed as part of the ceremonial process.

James brings this powerful figure to life using traditional tufa casting techniques, giving the sterling silver buckle its rich texture and organic surface. The Yei’ figure is accented with beautifully hand-cut turquoise inlay in varying shades of blue and green, adding depth, movement, and striking contrast against the darkened silver.

The openwork oval design and dramatic lightning motifs create a buckle that feels both ancient and modern—a meaningful piece of wearable art deeply rooted in Navajo tradition and storytelling.

Buckle Size – 3 1/8″ x 2 1/8″
Belt Size – 1 1/4″
Weight – 1.955 ozt