Native American Hopi Carved Longhair Redbeard Katsina Sculpture

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Longhair Redbeard Katsina Sculpture by Bennett Sockyma

The Longhair Redbeard (Hokyan 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. The red beard represents the rain falling through the setting sun, when it can appear as if the sky is bleeding.