Native American Hopi Carved Longhair Katsina Sculpture

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Longhair Katsina Sculpture by Lester Honie Jr.

The Longhair (Angak'china) is originally from Zuni Pueblo. The Redbearded Angak'china or (Hokyan Angak'china) is so named because of the peculiar step he uses in dancing. 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 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. This unique sculpture shows the Longhair Katsina on one side and the Longhair Redbeard on the opposite side of this prayer stick. The stick shows the rain coming down from the top of the mountains to bring the much needed water to the pueblo below.