Native American Hopi Carved Redbeard Kachina Sculpture (Katsina Sculpture)

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Redbeard Katsina Sculpture by Harold Nevayaktewa

The Longhair (Angak'china) is originally from Zuni Pueblo. Longhair appears at most Hopi Mesas. He wears his hair loose on his back to represent falling rain. He is one of the most popular of all Katsinam. These Katsinam appear in a group and sing a very powerful melodious song which may be one of the reasons that they are such favorites. They often appear at the Home Going Dance (Niman). Their purpose is to bring rain, and it is said that they seldom dance without the appearance of a soft gentle rain to help the crops grow. When they shake their rattles, it represents the thunder that comes right before the storm hits. This Redbearded Angak'china or (Hokyan Angak'china) represents the rain falling through the setting sun, when it can appear as if the sky is bleeding. Harold did his standard spectacular detail on this piece. The detailed pueblo in the morning light with the North Star shining in the sky. The Hopi man with his pipe offering the smoke up with his prayers. The little dots in the background represent all of our prayers rising in the sky. The feathers up his back represent prayers and the stacking of clouds that form the cumulus clouds. These clouds will release the rain which is life for the parched desert.