Alfred "Bo"
Lomahquahu
Niman Ceremony
(Home Dance)
10 1/2"
H x 5 3/4" D
Alfred "Bo" Lomahquahu
was born at Keams Canyon, Arizona in April, 1964. He was raised
in the small Hopi village of Bacavi, high atop Third Mesa, in
Northern Arizona. He learned early the wisdom of accepting and
following his elder's counsel. Advice given him by one grandfather,
a Hopi medicine man, to travel and gain new experiences, was
particularly influential in the shaping of Alfred's life and
principles.
As a direct result of that
advice, he departed his homeland and attended a boarding school
in Riverside, California. After completion of his formal education,
Alfred joined the Marines, and for the next six years, he traveled
extensively. As he observed other cultures, Alfred developed
a deeper appreciation for the Hopi's simple way of life.
A short while after his return
to the States, an unfinished kachina was given to him to complete.
His first kachina was so well received that he decided to pursue
carving as his vocation. From that point, Alfred's destiny became
clear. Today his kachinas are still well received and admired
as evidenced by his numerous awards.
At times criticized for his
use of power tools when applying finishing touches to his kachinas,
Alfred replies, "If you want to accomplish anyhing, you
have to use every available means."
In each of his dolls, the
spiritual element is always present. Couples with that element,
Alfred does his utmost to give good form and outstanding physical
characteristics to each finished piece. He is always hopeful
that each of his kachinas will eventually grace a home where
good feelings abound, for the underlying purpose of the kachina
is to promote harmony.
Ten hour days are the norm
for Alfred, but he enjoys his "work" and is happy with
it. With each passing day, as he patiently toils, Alfred attempts
to instill those long ago, sage words of his grandfather, within
his own children.
Alfred continues to create
masterfully done pieces of art for an ever growing audience of
ardent fans, loyal supporters, and avid kachina collectors.
This is a great little piece
depicting several village characters during a typical Home dance
in one of the Hopi plazas. The Home dance is the culmination
of the kachina season and takes place mid- to late-summer. It
is then that the kachinas bid farewell to the Hopi mesas and
return to their home in the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff,
Arizona. This ushers in the social season and opens up the villages
and dances to outsiders.
Depicted here is the Hemis
Kachina, or Home Dancer, as he points towards the boy indicating
that the melon he holds is for him, while the youngster stretches
forth his hands to receive the benevolent gift.
Atop the village rooftop sits
the Kachin' Mana with her large coil basket. Alfred is meticulous
in all of his detail as you can see from the facial expression
of the boy, to the coil basket in the Mana's hands, to the flowing
sash of the Hemis Kachina.
Even the back has been detailed
to appear as the inside of a traditional Hopi home, with whitewashed
walls and gifts of bows and arrows and flat dolls hanging from
them
