Henry Naha
Butterfly
14" H
with 3/4" base
This particular figure represents
the Butterfly Maiden as she appears during the social dances.
She is danced only by the unmarried girls of the village, and
typically is danced during the fall months, before the Kachina
cycle begins again.
She is similar to her Palhik
Mana kachina counter-part in that she wears an elaborate tableta
or headdress. However, she is not a kachina, and can be
differentiated by the fact that she does not wear a mask.
You can see here that she
is portrayed naturally with her female face.
This fine carving was created
by well known Hopi artist Henry Naha. Henry, an outstanding,
well respected carver is a member of the Spider and Lizard Clans
an lives near Polacca, Arizona.
He was taught by one of the
masters - Cecil Calnimptewa, who is his Hopi godfather; and was
the husband of Avonne Naha, 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.
His figures always have an
excellent stance and pose suggesting great strength and pride.
The body proportions are in balance and the kachina has well
defined musculature. The hands are extremely well carved with
detailed fingers and fingernails.
He has signed the bottom of
the base: "H. Naha" along with a symbolic lizard, which
is his Clan symbol.
