Henry Naha
Wildcat
9 3/4"
total height
"Tokotsi or Tokoch Kachina
is the Wildcat Kachina. He is one of the Angry Kachinas and appears
with others of this type when there is work to be done in the
community such as the cleaning of the springs.
"He never appears in
regular dances unless it is the Soyohim or Mixed Kachina Dance.
As a kachina who is expected to keep the idlers at work, he usually
carries a rope in his left hand and a switch in his right."
- Barton Wright, "Kachinas:
a Hopi artist's documentary" (31)
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.
