Michael Dean
Jenkins
Crow Bride
9" H
with 1" base
Although she appears here
in the more docile form of the Crow Bride, with white moccasins,
wedding sash, and a ceremonial offering basket, the Angwusnasomtaka,
or Crow Mother, as she is also 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)
Michael Dean Jenkins is an
award-winning carver and is featured throughout "The Art
of the Hopi" by Lois and Jerry Jacka on pages 46, 75 and
80. At the 2000 Heard Museum Indian Market, Michael won First
Place and Best of Division. He also won First Place and Best
of Division at the 1997 Museum of Northern Arizona Hopi Marketplace.
Michael Dean Jenkins is noted
for his one-piece Kachina carvings in a very unique style. He
uses very soft hues and muted colors to achieve a beautiful finish.
