Lee Grover
Jr.
Parrot
12" total
height
The Parrot Kachina, or Kyash,
as he is called, has an obscure history whose purpose seems to
be one of bringing summer growth plus the increase of parrots.
-Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documenary
(193)
Interestingly, Wright continues
"there is apparently a complete break in the history of
the Parrot Kachina. His appearance on First Mesa before the turn
of the century is quite different from his appearance eighty
years later on Second Mesa.
Between these two personations
no dolls were made that were recognizable as the Parrot Kachina,
nor were any dances given as the paraphernalia was not available.
In 1965 a Parrot Dance was given as a regular dance for the first
time in several generations. Formerly it had been given in the
Water Serpent Ceremony on First Mesa.
Why the Hopi tradition includes
parrots is a matter of much speculation - however, many believe
that according to their oral history, the Hopi migrated from
South America many centuries ago. One legend tells of their arrival
in the Fourth World after crossing the "green deep."
Upon reaching the shoreline, these majestic birds flew out to
welcome them to their new home.
Their use in modern tradition
could be a remnant of an earlier era and custom. The existence
of evidence of some paraphernelia, as it has been described,
suggests that the Hopi did maintain open trade in the complex
network of the Anasazi which reached deep into Meso America.
Lee Grover is from First Mesa,
Tewa Village (Hano). He is in his early 30's and has been carving
since his youth (12-14 years). He enjoys carving Owls and Bears.
He puts a lot of detail into his work which have been recognized
as "nice, clean dolls."
Lee has done a nice job with
this piece - and we recommend him as "one to watch."
His kachinas are at a nice price and will likely only continue
to improve and increase in value.
