Lawrence Dallas
Crow Couple
at the Kiva
5 1/4"
H x 5 3/4" W
This particular piece features
the a Crow Man and Crow Mother together at the entrance to the
Kiva.
The Angwusnasomtaka, or Crow
Mother, as she is called, "is a figure of great dignity.
She appears on all three mesas, usually in connection with the
initiation of the children, although she also appears on other
occassions.
At the initiation rites she
descends into the kiva bearing a large number of yucca blades
bound together at the base. She takes a position at one corner
of the large sand painting on the floor of the kiva, with one
of her "sons" on either side of her.
As the candidate is brought
to the sand painting she hands a whip to one of the Hu' Kachinas
who gives the child four healthy strokes with the yucca blade.
When the yucca becomes worn it is handed back to the Crow Mother
who then supplies a new one.
When the initiatory whipping
is over, she raises her skirts and receives the same treatment
accorded the children. They are given prayer feathers and meal
and leave the kiva."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (66)
"Angwus Kachina is the
Crow Kachina. This kachina is one of the warriors who make war
on the clowns during the Plaza Dances or who appear in the Soyohim
of late spring.
"He comes to threaten
the clowns for their immoderate behavior, appearing again and
again until finally he and others who have the same function
descend upon the clowns and thoroughly chastize them."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's
Documentary (158)
This charming set was created
by Hopi carver Lawrence Martin Dallas. Lawrence's work is very
much in demand and his pieces are true works of art. He was born
in 1969 in Moencopi, Arizona. He usually carves small dolls and
lets the wood tell him what to make. He likes to carve Long Hair
Kachinas and the Crow Mother.
Lawrence Dallas is featured
in many books, including: "Kachina Doll Carving" by
Erik Bromberg and is prominently featured in: "Hopi Kachina
Dolls and Their Carvers" by Theda Bassman on pages 30-33.
Lawrence has signed the doll
with his hallmark: "L Dallas" on top of the base.
