Shannon Naha
Sio Hemis
13 1/2"
total height
Shannon Naha is the son of
the famous Hopi painter Raymond Naha; his mother is a well known
Hopi potter (Emma Naha), while his older brother Marty is known
for his pottery and kachinas, and his other brother Ray Jr. is
known for some incredible old-style kachinas of his own.
These two brothers are among
the most popular old-style carvers at Hopi. Their work is very
elaborate and authentic. They take a lot of pride in each piece
- hand tying every feather, and using only the best materials.
"While the Sio Hemis
Kachina is another introduction from the Zuni in the 1890's,
he does not appear with the Zuni group of Pautiwa, Hakto, and
others. The Sio Hemis may be performed in place of the more usual
Hemis during Niman Ceremony of mid-July.
In fact, there is little difference
between the two except for the tableta decoration. The tableta
of the Hopi Hemis has towering clouds and rain depicted on it,
while that of the Sio Hemis has dragonflies and sunflowers with
smaller clouds above.
Although he appears in the
Niman Ceremony, he may also be seen at other times in the company
of his uncle and the little Spotted Corn Kachinas."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's
Documentary (216)
