Murphy Saufkie
Longhair Kachina
11" total
height
"The Long-haired Kachina
is one of the most pervasive of all kachinas. It is danced from
the Rio Grande to the Hopi Mesas in almost the same form. Among
the Hopis there are many varieties but the regular Angak'china
is the one portrayed here.
"They appear in a group
and sing a very melodious song which may be one of the reasons
that they are such favorites. They are often used for the Niman
Kachina on First Mesa coming with the Kocha Mana. In fact they
have danced in late August on First Mesa in direct contradiction
to the feeling that only Masau'u can be danced out of season.
Probably this was due to the presence of the Tewa people who
do not have a closed kachina season.
"Their purpose is to
bring rain, and it is said that they seldom dance without the
appearance of a soft gentle rain to help the crops grow."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artists Documentary (172)
Murphy Saufkie was born June
9th, 1971 at Tuba City. His parents are Jenny Roy and Andrew
Saufkie. His mother is of the Coyote Clan and his father is from
the Bear Clan. Murphy comes from a family full of fine artists.
His mother&hibar;s family
are well known for their fine Kachinas. Her brothers are Coolidge,
David and Silas Roy. Andrew's father is the famous Hopi artist,
Paul Saufkie.
Murphy has two other brothers
who carve Kachinas. They are Arvin and Ruben. Murphy learned
to carve from watching his uncles carve. He was given his first
piece of wood to carve by David Roy when he was in junior high.
Murphy's favorite Kachina to carve is Hilili.
He enjoys carving it because
it has more sashes and belts so it is more of a challenge. He
likes to carve action and the realistic anatomy of the Kachina.
He is also an artist and enjoys drawing.
Murphy won 1st place, Best in Category and Best in Class at the
O'Odham Tash in 2001.
