Henry Naha
Qoqole / Mocker
8 1/4"
total height
"Third Mesa is the only
place where the Qöqöle appears during Soyal. He comes
in a large group of many Qöqöle and their manas, on
the last day of the ceremony.
"Combining ritual with
pleasure they burlesque other cere- monies while at the same
time managing to 'open' the kivas. Thus it is possible that at
one moment the kachina may be very seriously marking the four
sides of the kivas to allow the other kachinas to come and visit
the village, and at the next moment be kneeling on the ground
to shoot marbles.
"Frequently they imitate
the women's dances of the preceding fall. Third Mesa Qöqöle
has one other aspect that sets him apart from almost all other
kachinas. He wears old Anglo clothing. Formerly he may have appeared
in the buckskins that are seen on Second Mesa, but at present
he does not appear this way on Third Mesa.
"More often than not
the kachina appears with a black face and blue markings, although
he can theoretically appear in any color because he is a directional
kachina. As each direction has a color he could appear in a color
combination representing any of the six directions"
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist Documentary (12)
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.
