Henry Shelton (1929–2016). <em>Kachina Doll (Kwahu [Eagle])</em>, 1960–1970. Cottonwood root, acrylic pigment, feathers, hide, fur, beads, yarn, cotton, 16 1/2 x 14 x 8 in. (41.9 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Edith and Hershel Samuels, 2010.6.10. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.6.10_front_PS2.jpg)

Henry Shelton (1929–2016). Kachina Doll (Kwahu [Eagle]), 1960–1970. Cottonwood root, acrylic pigment, feathers, hide, fur, beads, yarn, cotton, 16 1/2 x 14 x 8 in. (41.9 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Edith and Hershel Samuels, 2010.6.10. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.6.10_front_PS2.jpg)

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Kachina Doll (Kwahu [Eagle])

Arts of the Americas

Kwahu, or Eagle Dancer, usually appears in a troupe of several dancers, spreading feathered wings and squawking and imitating eagle behavior while the Koyemshi (Mudhead Kachinas) sing to him. The sponsoring kiva—a men’s society that holds its meetings in sacred underground spaces—must fast and abstain from sexual relations for a period before the dance. The Eagle Dance is a prayer for good crops, rain, and plentiful eagle feathers. Because the eagle is considered sacred, its feathers are important in many ceremonies.

Kwahu, o Bailarín Aguila, usualmente aparece con una tropa de varios danzantes, extendiendo sus alas emplumadas y graznando e imitando la conducta de las águilas mientras los Koyemshi (Kachinas Cabeza de Barro) le cantan. La kiva auspiciadora – sociedad masculina que se reúne en espacios sagrados subterráneos—debe ayunar y abstenerse de relaciones sexuales por un cierto periodo antes de la danza. La Danza Aguila es una plegaria para recibir buenas cosechas, lluvia y abundancia de plumas de águila. Al ser el águila considerada sagrada, sus plumas son importantes en muchas ceremonias.

ARTIST Henry Shelton, 1929–2016

CULTURE Pueblo, Hopi

MEDIUM Cottonwood root, acrylic pigment, feathers, hide, fur, beads, yarn, cotton

Possible Place Made: Oraibi, Third Mesa, Arizona, United States

DATES 1960–1970

DIMENSIONS 16 1/2 x 14 x 8 in. (41.9 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE signed on bottom of base Haenry Shelton Oraibi AZ with an arrow

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 2010.6.10

CREDIT LINE Gift of Edith and Hershel Samuels

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Eagle Dancer (Kwahu) Kachina Doll. Figure is carved from one piece of cottonwood root. He stands with PR arm raised and PL arm lower with both outstretched with pair of 'eagle' wings on arms and back. Chest is ½ yellow and ½ blue over pink painted body. Arms from elbow to wrist have the opposite colors from the chest. Legs are painted to match the chest. He wears a carved white kilt. He wears a blue and white beaded necklace. The helmet style mask has large, disk-like red ears with cotton stuffed near his head where they are attached and turquoise bead loop earrings. He has a feathered headdress in back on his head. His PR foot is raised. Both feet hare barefoot. His beak is open and you can see his red tongue. Wears a fur ruff around his neck. The eagle dance is a prayer for good crops, rain, and plentiful eagle feathers as their feathers are important in many ceremonies because the bird is thought to be sacred. This Kachina usually appears in a group of several forming a dance troop, squawking and imitating eagle behavior while the Koyemshi (mudhead clowns) sing to them. The sponsoring kiva must fast, abstain from sex, and no eating of salty or fatty foods before the dance.

EXHIBITIONS

Life, Death, and Transformation in the Americas

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Henry Shelton (1929–2016). Kachina Doll (Kwahu [Eagle]), 1960–1970. Cottonwood root, acrylic pigment, feathers, hide, fur, beads, yarn, cotton, 16 1/2 x 14 x 8 in. (41.9 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Edith and Hershel Samuels, 2010.6.10. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.6.10_front_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE front, 2010.6.10_front_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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Arts of the Americas

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