Henry Naha
Great Horned
Owl
8" total
height
"The Great Horned Owl
[Mongwa] is best noted for his incessant war on the clowns.
As the clowns follow their usual pattern of un-Hopi-like behaviour,
a single silent figure will drift into one corner of the plaza
and watch these uncouth fellows."
"When the clowns next
appear, growing ever more boisterous in their actions, the Owl
again appears and hoots solemnly. With each appearance he gets
closer until he ends up talking with the clown chief who promptly
blames all misbehaviour on the other clowns."
"But at the last performance,
the Owl is joined by other Warrior Kachinas. They leap upon the
clowns, douse them with water, beat them vigorously with willow
switches or yucca blades, and leave them howling with remorse
in a pile in the middle of the plaza." -
Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary
Another characteristic of
the Owl is that of a messenger. He comes to warn the village
and to call them to repentance. Perhaps this is why he carries
on that way with the clowns - as a symbol. He comes to warn them
of the bad things that can happen if they are not living right.
This kachina was carved by
well known Hopi artist Henry Naha. Henry, an outstanding, well
respected carver who is a member of the Spider and Lizard Clans,
lives near Polacca, Arizona.
He was taught by one of the
masters - Cecil Calnimptewa, who is his Hopi godfather; and was
the husband of Avonne Naha, also a talented carver.
He has been an active carver
for over 20 years and learned from others such as Denis Tewa
and Joseph Dallas.
His figures always have an
excellent stance and pose suggesting great strength and pride.
The body proportions are in balance and the kachina has well
defined musculature. The hands are extremely well carved with
detailed fingers and fingernails.
He has signed the bottom of
the base: "H. Naha" along with a symbolic lizard, which
is his Clan symbol.
