Henry Naha
Great Horned
Owl
10" H
with 1" base
"The Great Horned Owl
[Mongwa] is best noted for his incessant war on the clowns. As
the clowns follow their usual pattern of un-Hopi-like behaviour,
a single silent figure will drift into one corner of the plaza
and watch these uncouth fellows."
"When the clowns next
appear, growing ever more boisterous in their actions, the Owl
again appears and hoots solemnly. With each appearance he gets
closer until he ends up talking with the clown chief who promptly
blames all misbehaviour on the other clowns."
"But at the last performance,
the Owl is joined by other Warrior Kachinas. They leap upon the
clowns, douse them with water, beat them vigorously with willow
switches or yucca blades, and leave them howling with remorse
in a pile in the middle of the plaza." - Barton Wright,
Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary
Another characteristic of
the Owl is that of a messenger. He comes to warn the village
and to call them to repentance. Perhaps this is why he carries
on that way with the clowns - as a symbol. He comes to warn them
of the bad things that can happen if they are not living right.
He is often seen with a bow
and other hunting instruments, or depicted in carvings with a
rabbit in his hand or accompanying a Left-handed kachina on a
hunting party.
Henry Naha is a well known carver
who specializes in detailed carvings.
Henry is of the Spider and
Lizard clans, and signs his dolls with his clan hallmark followed
by "H. Naha." His Navajo last name is Attakai, but
he takes the name of Naha as a result of his Hopi adoption and
cultural heritage.
He was taught be one of the
masters - Cecil Calnimptewa, who is his Hopi godfather; and was
the husband of Avonne Naha Attakai, 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.
Henry has really established
himself as a top-tier kachina carver - an expert.
His figures always have an
excellent stance and pose...which suggest great strength and
pride. The body proportions are perfect and the Kachina has well
defined musculature. The hands are extremely well carved with
detailed fingers and fingernails.
