Paul Sewemaenewa

Eagle Dancer & Mudhead

6 3/4" total height


This dance is not as common as it might have been at one time, and according to Barton Wright's Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary, you might have the satisfaction of occassionally seeing a performance "in one of the night ceremonies in March or during the Powamu."

"Usually the personator imitates the step or motion and cry of the eagle to absolute perfection. There is evidence that this kachina was imported into Zuni from the Hopi and is danced there in much the same manner that it is at Hopi.

This may be why the Eagle may appear during Pamuya on First Mesa with Zuni Kachinas." (87)

"Koyemsi or Mud-head Kachinas are probably the most well known of all the Hopi kachinas. They appear in almost every Hopi ceremony as clowns, interocutors, announcers of dances, drummers, and many other roles.

"The nearly always accompany other kachinas; probably the only time when they do not appear with other personages is during the Night Dances.

"Koyemsi are usually the ones that play games with the audiences to the accompaniment of rollicking tunes. These games are generally guessing games, or simple attempts to balance objects or performances of some common act. They most closely resemble our parlor games and the rewards are prizes of food or clothing."

- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary (238)


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

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