Henry Naha
Mountain Lion
9 1/2"
total height
"The Mt. Lion Kachina
appears at Pachavu times as does the Tokoch (Wildcat) Kachina.
When he carries yucca whips in his hand, he would be one of the
Angry or Watching Kachinas
"He may appear in the
Mixed Kachina Dance with either Deer or Antelope Kachinas whom
he leads for he is always in the front and is never caught. In
this role he is a side dancer for the Deer or Antelope and carries
a talavaiyi, a cane with eagle feathers and red horsehair fringe,
in his hands."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (113)
Here he appears with his bow
in his left hand and an arrow in the irght. He is wearing a Hopi
sash and turquoise belt. His moccasins are rawhide and reach
above his ankles. A fox pelt drapes from his backside and sways
as he dances.
He wears no shawl, while eagle
feathers adorn the top of his head, and eagle plumes dangle from
the rear.
This kachina was carved by
well known Hopi artist Henry Naha. Henry, an outstanding, 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.
