Bryan Loma
Deer Maiden
14 1/4"
total height
This is the female version
of the Deer Dancer kachina who takes part in the popular plaza
kachina dances. According to Kachinas by Barton Wright
"he has power over the rain, and of course, when he dances,
he is a prayer for increase of deer.
"Usually when a group
of these dancers appear they are accompanied by a Wolf or Mountain
Lion Kachina as a side dancer. Presumably the first Deer Kachinas
were brought from Awatovi, which may be correct as they retain
a strong Rio Grande appearance.
"The position that this
kachina usually assumes when he dances is that of bending forward
at the waist and resting the front part of the body upon the
short stick that is carried in his hands." (p. 166)