The Sun Kachina (Dawa) is
a representation of the spirit of the Sun. He is very seldom
seen in public because the performance of the rituals is sacred
and secret...reserved only for specific clans or high priesthood
leaders. Although very popular among the carvers, he seldom appears
in the Kachina dances. The Sun Kachina radiates rays down to
the Earth giving it warmth and life.
The mask of the Sun Kachina
is a representation of the round face of the Sun. The lower half
of the face is blue with rectangular eyes, a triangle mouth and
vertical bars on each cheek. Carved red horsehair hangs from
his forehead and drapes the mask.
According to Barton Wright,
"the Sun Kachina is a representation of the spirit of the
Sun, though on occasion be called the Sun Shield Kachina. He
appears in a role very similar to that of the Nakiachop or Talavai,
standing to the side with a spruce tree in his left hand and
a bell in his right.
Also, he may appear in a Mixed
Dance with the flute in his left hand that is associated with
him in many myths. He is not often personated."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (124)
Paul hails from Third Mesa
- the village of Hotevilla. He is a young carver at only 34 years
old, but has been carving since he was only 7 years old. Born
in Ganado, Arizona - he is of the Roadrunner and Greasewood clans
of Hopi.
He credits his uncles with
teaching him the kachina carving art. His favorite designs include
animals, morning kachinas, and maiden kachinas.
"This is a talent that
I have been fortunate to be taught by my uncles when I was very
young. Doll carving was a way to support myself with things that
I wanted when I was a child all the way to my adult life. This
has always been a means of supporting my family and myself.
"I enjoy carving because
every piece I create has a little piece of myself in it. Each
piece of cottonwood has a specific art form in it. When I start
carving the kachina, working within the wood, it will come right
out and show itself, but if I try to go against what is within
the wood, it takes longer and things don't usually work out the
way you want.
"I enjoy teaching my
carving talent to people who are serious about learning and who
are willing to make something out of being able to learn. My
carvings mean a lot to me. I don't make them just to make them.
I always think about how my carvings are and where they live
and how they are being taken care of.
"I am very grateful to
my uncles Bill & Willard Sewemaenewa for always pushing and
encouraging me to learn this art."
- taken from Paul's own autobiographical
statement
