Alfred "Bo"
Lomahquahu
Deer Dancer
miniature
4" with
1/2" base
According to Kachinas
by Barton Wright the Deer Dancer "has power over the rain,
and of course, when he dances, he is a prayer for increase of
deer.
"Usually when a group
of these dancers appear they are accompanied by a Wolf or Mountain
Lion Kachina as a side dancer. Presumably the first Deer Kachinas
were brought from Awatovi, which may be correct as they retain
a strong Rio Grande appearance.
"The position that this
kachina usually assumes when he dances is that of bending forward
at the waist and resting the front part of the body upon the
short stick that is carried in his hands."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (166)
Alfred "Bo" Lomahquahu
was born at Keams Canyon, Arizona in April, 1964. He was raised
in the small Hopi village of Bacavi, high atop Third Mesa, in
Northern Arizona. He learned early the wisdom of accepting and
following his elder's counsel. Advice given him by one grandfather,
a Hopi medicine man, to travel and gain new experiences, was
particularly influential in the shaping of Alfred's life and
principles.
As a direct result of that
advice, he departed his homeland and attended a boarding school
in Riverside, California. After completion of his formal education,
Alfred joined the Marines, and for the next six years, he traveled
extensively.
As he observed other cultures,
Alfred developed a deeper appreciation for the Hopi's simple
way of life.
A short while after his return
to the States, an unfinished kachina was given to him to complete.
His first kachina was so well received that he decided to pursue
carving as his vocation.
From that point, Alfred's
destiny became clear. Today his kachinas are still well received
and admired as evidenced by his numerous awards.
In each of his dolls, the
spiritual element is always present. Couples with that element,
Alfred does his utmost to give good form and outstanding physical
characteristics to each finished piece.
He is always hopeful that
each of his kachinas will eventually grace a home where good
feelings abound, for the underlying purpose of the kachina is
to promote harmony.
Ten hour days are the norm
for Alfred, but he enjoys his "work" and is happy with
it. With each passing day, as he patiently toils, Alfred attempts
to instill those long ago, sage words of his grandfather, within
his own children.
Alfred continues to create
masterfully done pieces of art for an ever growing audience of
ardent fans, loyal supporters, and avid kachina collectors.
