Henry Naha
Stone Eater
10 1/4"
H with 1/2" base
"The Stone Eating Kachina
is one of the older Hopi Kachinas and shows great variation between
mesas. There appear to be two types currently - one that is seen
on First Mesa and at Shungopavi and the other Mishongnovi and
Third Mesa. Each of them has minor variations by village. The
kachina may be seen most often in the Powamu.
"He is one of the Angry
Kachinas and is usually led about with a rope around his waist
which is held by a Koyemsi; although the rope may also be used
to tease this ill-tempered personage. Presumably when rocks are
thrown at him, he catches them and eats them. On Second Mesa
he is primarily a guard and a butt for the antics of the clowns."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (45)
Henry Naha is a well known carver
who specializes in detailed carvings.
Henry is of the Spider and
Lizard clans, and signs his dolls with his clan hallmark followed
by "H. Naha." His Navajo last name is Attakai, but
he takes the name of Naha as a result of his Hopi adoption and
cultural heritage.
He was taught be one of the
masters - Cecil Calnimptewa, who is his Hopi godfather; and was
the husband of Avonne Naha Attakai, 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.
Henry has really established
himself as a top-tier kachina carver - an expert.
The kachina has been carved
from a single piece of cottonwood root. The only parts that have
been added are the smallest accents. Even the base is from the
single piece of cottonwood root.
The doll has an excellent
stance and pose...which suggest great strength and pride. The
body proportions are perfect and the Kachina has well defined
musculature. The hands are extremely well carved with detailed
fingers and fingernails.
