Raymond Naha
Tasap Yeibichei
10 1/2"
total height
Ray Naha Jr. is the son of
the famous Hopi painter Raymond Naha; his mother is a well known
Hopi potter (Emma Naha), while his older brother Marty is known
for his pottery and kachinas, and younger brother Shannon is
following closely in Ray Jr.'s footsteps with some incredible
old-style kachinas of his own.
These two brothers are among
the most popular old-style carvers at Hopi. Their work is very
elaborate and authentic. They take a lot of pride in each piece
- hand tying every feather, and using only the best materials.
"The Grandfather of the
Navajo Kachina is one of the more enjoyable features of the Navajo
Kachina Dance. He does not speak but pantomimes whatever he wants.
"He starts the dance,
acting as a leader in both singing and dancing. His dance step
is an exaggeration, and a very lively one, that may be interspersed
with a comic action such as the request for food - mountains
of food.
All of these requests are
done in pantomimes that bring laughter to the audience. The Grandfather
of Uncle has several variations but the one portrayed here is
the one that is most often seen.... The buckskin cape over the
shoulders is usually very long, almost brushing the ground, and
is used with great dramatic effect."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (182)
