John Fredericks
Blue Corn
Maiden
13" total
height
Of all the women who appear
with other Kachinas, the Kachina Maiden, or Kachin' Mana, is
the most prevalent. If she is carrying blue corn, she is known
as the Blue Corn Maiden, similarly yellow corn, etc.
She often appears in regular
Kachina dances with household ware, accompanied by Long Haired
Kachina. Based on this Corn Maiden’s yellow color, she’s
a Yellow Corn Maiden. Her presence is a prayer for corn. She
also honors Mother Earth and her continuing ability to feed her
children. Placing this Kachina in your home, particularly on
an altar, shows respect for the many gifts we receive each day
from Mother Earth. This gentle maiden reminds us always to be
thankful. By the way, a Kachina Maiden often will change her
name to that of the Kachina with whom she is dancing, although
her appearance does not change.
"[Blue] Corn Maiden appears
with a variety of kachinas, Angak'china, Ma'alo, Pawik and others.
She may sometimes be seen with the Kocha Mana.
They dance in a line seperate
from the other kachinas but following the same pattern of dance,
turning as the others do, gesturing as they do. Their only deviation
is when they kneel and place large gourds on the ground to rasp."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (175)
This carving was created by
Hopi artist John Fredericks. John's work is very much in demand
and his pieces are true works of art. John was born in 1949 in
Kykotsmovi, Arizona and currently lives in Phoenix.
John has developed a special
technique that enables him to achieve a wonderful and unique
patina, as shown in the pictures. He has used an antique white
wash technique on the shawl, which adds to the realism. The wood
has been enriched using stains and oils, a John Fredericks specialty.
The proportions are very accurate and the costume is true to
Hopi form and tradition.
John Fredericks is featured
in the book "Kachina Dolls, The Art of Hopi Carvers"
by Helga Tiewes on page 123 and John is one of 25 carvers featured
in "Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers" by Theda
Bassman, on pages 60-63.
In that book, John states:
"When I am carving, I breathe it and think what it means
to myself and my people. It's what we believe in. It's my spiritual
food. It's something that is a part of us. It's part of the land
where we live."
