Henry Naha
Coal Kachina
7 1/2"
H with 1/2" base
"This Kachina comes bearing
coal, bringing the coal as a present to the Hopi for the winter
which comes after the close of the Kachina season.
"It is said that he is
an old type Kachina who does not appear anymore. Colton states
that he was said to have last appeared at Mishongnovi in 1899.
At one time this was apparently a very important Kachina who
appeared during the quadrennial initiation ceremonies at Mishongnovi
village at Second Mesa. When the initiation ceremony was discontinued
the Kachina stopped appearing."
- Ricks, J. Brent, et al., Kachinas:
Spirit Beings of the Hopi (172)
Henry Naha is a well known carver
who specializes in detailed carvings.
Henry is of the Spider and
Lizard clans, and signs his dolls with his clan hallmark followed
by "H. Naha." His Navajo last name is Attakai, but
he takes the name of Naha as a result of his Hopi adoption and
cultural heritage.
He was taught be one of the
masters - Cecil Calnimptewa, who is his Hopi godfather; and was
the husband of Avonne Naha Attakai, 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.
Henry has really established
himself as a top-tier kachina carver - an expert.
The kachina has been carved
from a single piece of cottonwood root. The only parts that have
been added are the smallest accents. Even the base is from the
single piece of cottonwood root.
The doll has an excellent
stance and pose...which suggest great strength and pride. The
body proportions are perfect and the Kachina has well defined
musculature. The hands are extremely well carved with detailed
fingers and fingernails.
