Henry Naha
Piki Craver
9 1/2"
H with 3/4" base
The Piki Eater is an unusual
kachina who accompanies the Soyoko during the winter months.
He is reported as being a lazy kachina who loves piki! His primary
function is to come after load of piki - requiring it from the
families he visits alongside his Ogre counterparts.
"The staff he carries
is something that he leans up against so that he can eat Piki
more comfortably.
His function is to take and
taste the piki bread which is offered to Soyoko Wuhti. He eats
it right away and thus forces Soyoko to take food rather than
kids. This cheats Soyoko Wuhti out of her negotiation with the
parents of the kids."
- Ricks, J. Brent, et al., Kachinas:
Spirit Beings of the Hopi (92)
This kachina was carved by
well known Hopi artist Henry Naha. Henry, a well 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.
