Ronald Honyumptewa
Soyok Wuhti
Ogre Woman
10" H
with 1/2" base
"The awesome figure of
the Monster Woman appears during the Powamu ceremony as one of
the many Soyoko who threaten the lives of the children. Dressed
all in black, with long straggling hair, staring eyes and a wide
fanged mouth, she carries a blood-smeared knife and a long jangling
crook - truly a fearsome creature to the children.
"When she speaks, it
is in a wailting falsetto or with a long dismal hoot of 'Soyoko'-u-u-u,'
from which her name is derived. She may reach for the children
with the long crook and threaten to put them in the basket on
her back, or to cut off their heads with the large knife that
she carries in her hand utterly terrifying her young audience.
"On some mesas she may
be the ogre that threatens a small child who has been naughty
and bargains with a relative to ransom the child, but on others
she is not. In some villages she leads the procession of ogres;
in others she remains at the side, content to make threatening
gestures. This is the First Mesa Soyok Wuhti, or Monster Woman,
with several changes incorporated from the normal appearance.
"The blood-stained hands
are lacking, and the crook is a short one. Usually the crook
is almost seven feet long with tinklers on it. On First Mesa
ragged, brown, high moccasins are used in place of the woman's
white boot. Tufts of cotton are stuck in her hair, and the general
appearance is one of darkness and dirtiness."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (74)
Ronald Honyumptewa is one
of the most talented young carvers of today. His work expresses
detail and realism far beyond that of many of his counterparts.
He is truly emerging as one of the great ones - as well he should,
for he has had some great teachers and mentors. Some of these
include the late Tom Holmes, Leonard Selestewa, and Jon Cordero.
Ronald is from the village
of Moenkopi, near Tuba City, Arizona. He is of the Sun clan,
and has been an active kachina carver for 15 years. At only 33
years of age, he has already taken Best of Division at the Heard
Museum show, and other ribbons at the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial,
and elsewhere.
Carved entirely from one piece,
except for the cane and knife, this Soyok Wuhti possesses the
action and characteristics that Ronald has become so well known
for. The flowing motion of the cape, the swaying of the sash
and kilt all add a sense of incredible realism to this piece.
A true "museum quality" piece, this Soyok Wuhti has
nothing missing. See for yourself!
