Duane Hyeoma
Palhik Mana
13 3/4"
H with 1/2" base
The Palhik Mana, or Butterfly
Maiden, is one of the most popular kachinas in the Hopi carvers'
repertoire. This beautifully dressed figure is not really a kachina,
but rather a woman's dance personage.
Women who appear in the Mamzrau
Initiation Dance are called the Palhik' Manas. They are never
masked except on Third Mesa, although they all appear to be when
carved as dolls. The carvings typically include an elaborate
tableta including butterfly and corn symbols.
"Koyemsi or Mud-head
Kachinas are probably the most well known of all the Hopi kachinas.
They appear in almost every Hopi ceremony as clowns, interocutors,
announcers of dances, drummers, and many other roles.
"The nearly always accompany
other kachinas; probably the only time when they do not appear
with other personages is during the Night Dances.
"Koyemsi are usually
the ones that play games with the audiences to the accompaniment
of rollicking tunes. These games are generally guessing games,
or simple attempts to balance objects or performances of some
common act. They most closely resemble our parlor games and the
rewards are prizes of food or clothing."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artists Documentary (238)
Duane Hyeoma is the son of
Ione Talyumptewa Hyeoma of First Mesa. He is Deer Clan. He has
been carving for about 14 years. He learned from Franklin Sahmea,
and his uncle Don Talyumptewa. He is now 34 years old.
Duane has been carving Kachina
dolls and perfecting his skills since he was a teenager. His
work is consistent in its high action and details, and he has
won several awards in judged competitions.
Duane is comfortable with
most all of the different kachinas and does not seem to exhibit
a preference to one Kachina over another as do some of the carvers.
He occasionally signs his work with just his middle name.
