Preston Youvella
Longhair
10 3/4"
H with 1" base
"The Long-haired Kachina
is one of the most pervasive of all kachinas. It is danced from
the Rio Grande to the Hopi Mesas in almost the same form. Among
the Hopis there are many varieties but the regular Angak'china
is the one portrayed here.
"They appear in a group
and sing a very melodious song which may be one of the reasons
that they are such favorites. They are often used for the Niman
Kachina on First Mesa coming with the Kocha Mana. In fact they
have danced in late August on First Mesa in direct contradiction
to the feeling that only Masau'u can be danced out of season.
Probably this was due to the presence of the Tewa people who
do not have a closed kachina season.
"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
Angak'china shown [here] is the variety known as Hokyan Angak'china,
so named because of the peculiar step he uses in dancing. He
is also called the Red-bearded Angak'china. His function is exactly
the same as the regular Angak'china - to bring rain for the crops.
Angak'china is shown [here] as he delivers presents in mid-summer."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artists Documentary (172)
Preston is the son of Tino
Youvella, from Polacca, Arizona on the Hopi Indian reservation.
Preston has been carving since
he was a boy and has accompanied his father and brother, Alex,
to many shows throughout the southwest.
Like his father, Preston's
work represents a great value for collectors just starting out
or who are looking for nice work at a great price.
Like the rest of his family,
he is very involved in the kiva activities in his village and
he helps his father and family members with other traditional
responsibilities.
