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Sammie Walker, master carver of
Kachina dolls since the age of 8, was born to Deer Water Clan.
He spent his childhood in Sand Springs, Arizona, in the heart of
Tony Hillerman Country, where he helped his family with their
farming and the tending of their 360 sheep, 67 cows, and 37
horses. Sammie's father was a medicine man who also fashioned
moccasins form the cured hide of their cattle. At the age of 8,
Sammie developed a love of carving after working on a 2x4 that
had been saved to repair the family's horse drawn wagon.
Sammie's first doll was a simple stick-typo figure with no base.
Pine tree sap was used as glue and the arms were secured with
horse shoe nails. He and his father took the doll to Bruce
Powell, owner of a trading post at Old Oraibi. He bought
Sammie's doll for $35.00. That was the beginning. Realizing that
his son had a gift for carving Sammie's father introduced him to
a Hopi friend, Many Cattles who gave Sammie a book on Hopi
Kachinas and then taught him the art of carving. Later, Many
Cattles initiated Sammy in one of his Hopi plaza dances. Since
that time Sammie has carved dolls for local enthusiasts as well
as for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton and President
Fox of Mexico.
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What are Kachinas? There are hundreds
of Hopi Katsinam, "personations" of supernatural beings,
important animals and ancestors who help the Hopi people raise
their crops, their children, and their spirits. The Katsina
dancers are men wearing masks--each of which represents a
particular Katsina--and paint and feathered costumes. Everyone
in the village, aside from the children, knows that the Katsina
dancers are actually men from the village, though Katsinam are
still believed to have supernatural powers. Much of the value in
these dances is found to be instructing the young. Signed and
numbered.
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Blue
A'hote is considered a good hunter. He may appear in
any of the directional colors, the two most common being the
Yellow (Sikyahote) or the Blue (Sakwahote). The A'hote is the
Grand Katsina Uncle of the Mixed Katsina Group and appears in
the Mixed Dances. The A'hote is painted in two different ways.
He appears with planets on his mask. The other A'hote version
has a "split" mask with different colors on each side. Both seem
to be derived from a Plains Indian because he wears a long
trailing eagle feather headdress. The action is wonderful and
the carving, painting and details are very accurate 18" |
Yellow
A'hote is considered a good hunter. He may appear
in any of the directional colors, the two most common being
the Yellow (Sikyahote) or the Blue (Sakwahote). The A'hote
is the Grand Katsina Uncle of the Mixed Katsina Group and
appears in the Mixed Dances. The A'hote is painted in two
different ways. He appears with planets on his mask. The
other A'hote version has a "split" mask with different
colors on each side. Both seem to be derived from a Plains
Indian because he wears a long trailing eagle feather
headdress. 20" |
This
great and powerful leader possesses spiritual strength used to
protect and cure the sick. The Bear
(Hon) Katsina is considered to be the number two healer for the
people. His knowledge of herbs and roots gives him the power to
heal the sick. The Bear symbolizes power, strength, courage,
wisdom and healing. This is a wonderful piece that is created in
a style that is unusual today. Very few of the artists make the
Native American dolls this way. The action is wonderful and the
carving, painting and details, especially his teeth, are
fabulous. 20" |
The Brown
Owl (Mongwu) is the leader of the warrior Katsinam and
brings the whippers to the summer dances. He is called upon to
discipline the clowns for their non-Hopi behavior. The Owl
appears at more than one ceremony, and in different ones at
different Mesas. He appears in the Mixed Katsina Dance and in
some ordinary dances. At First Mesa, he takes part in the Bean
Dance (Powamuya) and in the Water Serpent Ceremony. He is
considered a sorcerer. 20.5" |
Like
most animal Katsinam, the Buffalo (Mosairu) dances to increase
his kind. This Katsina is very well-known and is the most
powerful. He can kill any evil thoughts and is a great spiritual
protector. This is a wonderful piece that is created in a style
that is unusual today. 17" |
The
Blue Fancy Dancer is much like the Hoop Dancer. His purpose is
to entertain the audience. The feather fan dance bustle is meant
for passing along prayers. 16" |
The
Red Fancy Dancer is much like the Hoop Dancer. His purpose is to
entertain the audience. The feather fan dance bustle is meant
for passing along prayers. 20" |
The
Feather Dance is performed by a young girl. She dances to the
four directions. To the East she dances for the Sunlight; to the
North she dances to the magic blanket of snow and the Northern
Lights; to the West, she dances for the wind that is the breath
of life; and to the South she dances for the nourishment that
comes from the young plants. Then, finally, she dances to the
Center, this is the dance for the Sacred Fire the warmth and the
sun. 18.5"
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BLUE
HOOP: The
primary function of the Ceremonial Hoop Dancer is to amuse the audience during a major ceremony. The circular
rings represent the circle of life. The Hoop Dancer is about
amusement, joy, happiness and connecting us to our nature for
humor. 16.75" |
RED
HOOP: The primary function of the Ceremonial Hoop
Dancer is to amuse the audience during a major ceremony. The
circular rings represent the circle of life. The Hoop Dancer is
about amusement, joy, happiness and connecting us to our nature
for humor. 17" |
The White
Owl (Mongwu) is the leader of the warrior Katsinam and brings
the whippers to the summer dances. He is called upon to
discipline the clowns for their non-Hopi behavior. The Owl
appears at more than one ceremony, and in different ones at
different Mesas. He appears in the Mixed Katsina Dance and in
some ordinary dances. At First Mesa, he takes part in the Bean
Dance (Powamuya) and in the Water Serpent Ceremony. He is
considered a sorcerer. 19" |
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Navajo Kachinas
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