Julia Bah Joe (1875–1974) was a Diné (Navajo) master weaver. She is known for creating the Diyogí Tsoh (Big Rug), a traditionally produced woven Navajo rug, along with her daughter Lillie Joe Hill. The traditionally woven rug holds the world record as the "world's largest Navajo rug" by square footage.
Work
Joe created hundreds of traditionally produced hand-woven works throughout her lifetime. After raising and shearing her churro sheep, she washed, carded, dyed and spun the wool into yarn. The wool from approximately 200 sheep was used to produce her work Diyogí Tsoh (Big Rug), the world's largest Navajo rug, which took her three years to complete. The rug travelled on tour around the U.S. for many years, and was exhibited in the 1964 Worlds Fair in New York. Although she produced over a hundred weavings, the Diyogí Tsoh is considered her "masterwork". It was previously known as the Hubbell-Joe Rug, after it was original commissioner, Lorenzo Hubbell Jr. of the Hubbell Trading Post. Hubbell paid Julia Bah Joe and her family $1900 in a combination of pawn redemption and credit at the trading post for the commission. Naming the weaving after the trader sparked an outcry and a petition drive to change the name, which gathered more than 1,500 signatures. In 2025 it was renamed Diyogí Tsoh.
Collections Joe's work is currently held in the collection of the Affeldt Mion Museum in Winslow, Arizona. The institution built specifically to house her large weaving, as well as other works. The museum was formerly a train depot designed in the 1930s by Mary Colter. The work is on long-term loan to the museum from the Winslow Arts Trust.
Personal life Joe was from Greasewood, Arizona on the Navajo Nation lands. She was full-blooded Navajo of the Honagoni and Kinle Cheene clans, according to census records. United States Census (1950) Joe was married to Sam Joe (Navajo); they had three daughters, Lilly, Helen, Erma and Mary and two sons, Herbert and John.. She had 36 grandchildren and over 40 great grandchildren.
Death Joe died at the Fort Defiance Hospital at the age of 99.
References
Further reading Navajo Rug in Rodeo Parade, Winslow Mail, 2 April 1948 The Big Rug (historical photographs and documentation) Legendary Navajo Rug on Display in Winslow, Quad Cities Business News, 18 October 2023 Hubbell-Joe Rug to be on display September 2, Painted Desert Tribune, 22 August 2023 Big Joe Descendents with the Big Rug, Afeldt Mion Museum News, 19 August 2023 'Worlds Largest Navajo Rug' back at La Posada from cold storage at Northern Arizona University, Navajo-Hopi Observer, 26 February 2019