Artist:Henry SheltonPueblo, Hopi
Medium: Cottonwood root, acrylic pigment, hide, feathers, fur, horse hair, wood, yarn
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:1960–1970
Dimensions: 23 x 13 1/2 x 10 in. (58.4 x 34.3 x 25.4 cm)
Collections:
Accession Number: 2010.6.15
Image: CUR.2010.6.15.jpg,
Catalogue Description: Giant (Chaveyo) Kachina Doll. Artist probably Henry Shelton. This Kachina is one of the ogres in the white ogre family. Carved from one piece of cottonwood root and painted light beige, he stands with both feet on the ground, knees slightly bent, PR arm raised and PL arm lowered. He has a snarling, fanged mouth with red showing inside, goggle eyes, black face paint with white swirls on the cheeks, and very large red ears. He wears a fur ruff around his neck and has a rayed feathered headdress. He holds whipping sticks in raised PR hand and a large sword with a swirled, snakelike design and feather tuffs in lowered PL hand. His kilt and boots are carved on. He wears a hide cape and has hide fringe knees and on the top of his carved boots. Prior to the Angk'wa (February night dances) the Ogre family appears in the village demanding food and game in large quantities. For about a week they appear going from house to house insisting they give. If not enough food is forthcoming they hoot, snarl and terrify claiming they will eat the children. Children are terrified. Everyone looks to see what they have done wrong to deserve this. The Ogre's are the reminders that everyone’s behavior is not good enough to live up to the high Hopi standards. They are the reminders to live the spiritual life. Once ridicule and punishment are over the ogres give a blessing and a social dance is held for healing. The Ogre family is forcibly removed from the village.