Henry Naha
Mastop
5" H
with 1/2" base
"The Mastop Kachina is
the second kachina to appear on Third Mesa. He is not present
on Second or First Mesa. These kachinas always arrive in pairs
and come bounding out of the northwest on the next to last day
of Soyal.
"As they rush into the
village they beat all the dogs that they encounter using the
short black and white staff which they carry for that purpose.
Leaping about with many antic gestures, they make their way to
the Chief Kiva where they talk in disguised voices with the individuals
inside and with each other.
"Then, as though suddenly
becoming aware of the females in the audience, they dash madly
into a cluster of women and grab their shoulders from behind
and they give a series of small hops indicating copulation.
"Then they return to
the kiva and converse for a while before again dashing over to
another group of women, repeating the action until nearly every
woman present from child to the very oldest has been approached.
All women, even the shy ones, do not avoid this embrace as it
is a serious fertility rite despite the antic touches, which
are never directed toward the women."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist Documentary (13)
This kachina was carved by
well known Hopi artist Henry Naha. Henry, a respected carver
who is a member of the Spider and Lizard Clans, lives near Polacca,
Arizona.
He was taught by one of the
masters - Cecil Calnimptewa, who is his Hopi godfather; and was
the husband of Avonne Naha, also a talented carver.
He has been an active carver
for over 20 years and learned from others such as Denis Tewa
and Joseph Dallas.
His figures always have an
excellent stance and pose suggesting great strength and pride.
The body proportions are in balance and the kachina has well
defined musculature. The hands are extremely well carved with
detailed fingers and fingernails.
He has signed the bottom of
the base: "H. Naha" along with a symbolic lizard, which
is his Clan symbol.