From where did the Navajo acquire coral?

The Navajo acquired coral through trade with neighboring tribes and through their interactions with Spanish colonizers. The Navajo people, also known as Diné, traditionally reside in the Southwestern United States, primarily in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Coral was not naturally found within the Navajo lands, as their territory is located far from any coastal regions where coral typically forms. However, the Navajo established extensive trading networks that allowed them to acquire various goods, including coral, from other tribes and outside sources. The introduction of coral into the Navajo culture is believed to have primarily resulted from their interactions with the Pueblo people. The Pueblo tribes, who inhabited regions closer to the coast, had access to coral through their trade connections with Native American tribes living in coastal areas such as the Zuni and Hopi. The Navajo would engage in trade with the Pueblo and other neighboring tribes, exchanging goods like rugs, pottery, precious stones, and livestock. Through these exchanges, the Navajo acquired coral, which they incorporated into their jewelry, traditional attire, and ceremonial objects. Furthermore, with the arrival of Spanish explorers and colonizers in the region during the 16th century, the Navajo were exposed to additional sources of coral through trading with the Spanish. Thus, the Navajo obtained coral through trade with neighboring tribes and through their encounters with Spanish colonizers.