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)
Oliver Tsinnie was born to
Dorothea Fritz and Orville Tsinnie in December, 1964. He was
born into the Hopi fire clan (also known as Masa) on his mother’s
side and his father was Navajo. He has been carving since 1992
and credits his mother for convincing him to give carving a try.
He was completely self-taught. He remembers watching his Grandfather
and his uncles carving when he was very young. At that time he
says, they pieced the Kachinas together with nails and put fabric,fur
and leather on them for clothes and shoes. Oliver is married
to Marcella and they have 10 children between them.
Oliver carves one piece Kachinas
and has become a very fine carver. He uses quite a bit of motion
and his fine detail is excllent. His favorite Kachinas to carve
are the Ogre and the Deer.
Oliver has taken awards at
the Museum of Northern Arizona and Santa Fe at Indian Market.
He also won the SWAIA challenge award in 2000.
