Cecil Calnimptewa
Old Man
15 1/2"
total height
"The Wuwuyomo are spoken
of as 'old men kachinas' beacuse they are so ancient. They may
also be called Mong Kachina or Chief Kachinas; in fact on Third
Mesa this is the only name by which they are now known. They
always appear in groups of four with the Pachavu Manas in the
extended form of the Powamu Ceremony on Third Mesa.
"There they lead the
manas into the village. An important part of this ritual is pausing
along the processional route to sing songs that are important
to the growth of the crops in the coming year.
"The Wuwuyomo also appear
in the procession in the Palölökong or Water Serpent
Ceremony and afterwards as a group in one of the kivas where
they sing. Formerly on First Mesa they appeared with the Sio
Salako, but this has changed through the years; and apparently
they no longer come with this Zuni-inspired group.
"Wuwuyomo is characterized
by the Soyal pahos on the head and the scapulae in the right
hand and the lack of tinklers on the long stockings."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (55)
Cecil Calnimptewa is perhaps
the most well known kachina carver of today. His work has been
featured in nearly ever publication on Hopi kachina dolls and
has been the inspiration behind dozens, if not hundreds, of talented
new artists' work. Whole volumes have been dedicated to his carvings
alone.
As recorded in The Kachina
Dolls of Cecil Calnimptewa, by Theda Bassman "Cecil Calnimptewa
carved and sold his first Kachina doll when he was 18 years old.
Since that time, he has become an innovator, teacher, and master
of the art."
He was born on January 1,
1950, into the village of Moencopi near Tuba City, Arizona, and
is a member of the Bamboo clan.
His work is known far and
wide, as he has received numerous awards and accolades for not
only his skills as a carve, but for the innovations in Hopi kachina
carving which he pioneered.
"His artistry is exhibited
in the fine detail of belts, sashes, and garments as well as
musculature, the motion, and active stance of the doll. He produces
very realistic figures which have sheer aesthetic beauty and
display tremendous power." - The Kachina Dolls of Cecil
Calnimptewa.
