Les David
Eagle Dancer
5 1/2"
total height
(6 1/2" wingspan)
Les (Leslie) David is a Hopi
from first mesa who is married to Nora David (Navajo) and is
the father of well known carver, Kerry David.
His work is well known and
collected. One of his favorite designs is the Eagle Dancer which
is pictured here.
The dancing motion and life-like
posture of this figure make it one of the more popular eagle
kachina carvings. With his arms/wings spread wide, he mimics
the motion of the eagle as he glides freely above the mesas.
This dance will honor the eagle and ensure that he will remain
and multiply - to carry their prayers to the creator.
Les has carefully detailed
this piece, as you can see the etched feathers and the flowing
sash and belt. His foot is raised in dance, as the tassles seem
to sway from just below the knee. He looks high toward the heavens
in supplication of the Great One. Every detail has been accounted
for.
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)
