Manuel Cleveland
Koshare Clown
10 3/4"
total height
The always mischievous and
sometimes gluttonous Koshare are perfect satire of normal village
life. Their facial features, posture, and body movements tell
us so much about the attitude of life in the Hopi plaza.
"Koshari or Koyala is
the name of a Rio Grande clown that is often seen on the Hopi
Mesas. The Hopis very frequently call this clown the Hano or
Tewa clown as the Tewa of that village seem to have introduced
this personage to the Hopi mesas.
These clowns are considered
to be the fathers of the kachinas. They behave in the usual manner
of pueblo clowns, engaging in loud and boisterous conversation,
immoderate actions, and gluttony.
They are often drummers for
other dances."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (239)
With watermelon in each hand
and a carving knife by his side, this figure really comes to
life.
Manuel Cleveland was born
on the 4th of September, 1964. He is from Second Mesa.
Manuel is the son of a Hopi
mother and a Navajo father, which, according to Hopi tradition,
makes him Hopi. Even though his father is Navajo, he is acknowledged
as one of the better carvers of the Hopi Hano Clowns or Koshare.
Manuel was an astute student
of this style and his carving therefore is very distinct. Manuel
is married and has four children and currently lives in Tsayatoh,
NM.
