Derrick Hayah
Silent Warrior
14" H
with 2 1/4" base
The first mention of this
kachina is on First Mesa where [Alexander M.] Stephen (in the
1890's) gives a detailed account of Nakyachop (sic) dancing in
the Sio Salako. He is referred to as the Salako Warrior or the
Silent Warrior, even though he makes a doleful call.
"The description is also
that of Akush, a Warrior. On Third Mesa, Nakiachop is an Angry
Kachina that performed feats of great daring at one of the now
deserted villages. In this dance, poles were set into sockets
worn into the rock of the mesa edge, and the kachinas danced
by climbing the poles and swinging themselves far out over the
enormous drop from the rim.
"The name seems to be
the only think similar between these two kachinas. With the passage
of time the division has blurred, and it is possible that what
was formerly Siwahop on Third Mesa became Nakiachop and the Akush
of First Mesa became Nakiachop, since the Nakiachops of both
mesas now look like Talavai [the Morning Kachina].
"It is possible that
this kachina is one that is in the process of becoming extinct.
No one agrees on its function, and few can give the correct appearance."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (52)
Derrick Hayah is from First
Mesa, the village of Walpi, and is of the Rabbit and Tobacco
clans. He has been carving for nearly 16 years and learned from
his uncles, including Gary Hayah. He is also the older brother
of Godfrey Hayah.
His work is some of the fastest
selling artwork we feature. They are great figures with real
value at very reasonable prices. Be sure to take a look at the
rest of Derrick's work in the gallery area.
Derrick has done a nice, clean
job with this figure, as he does with all of his increasingly
popular work.
These are the carvers we're
focused on most - the ones which help bring the figure to life
- almost as if the onlooker is their in the plaza with them.
Derrick is truly one of these.
As one of the younger generation of carvers, he has quickly and
skillfully responded to the demand that more and more serious
collectors are placing upon the art.
His work has strong visual
appeal, as he is not afraid to use bold, bright colors, and his
bases always have something extra.
