Hopi Kachinas

(click on image for a larger view)
Hopi Kachinas by Gene Dalas ca. 20000

In the time we operated a trading post in old town Flagstaff, we had wonderful opportunities to look at and purchase handmade Hopi cottonwood root kachinas. A friendship with one carver who lived near Tuba City, AZ gave us access to a wide variety of his work. His 11 letter Hopi last name was shortened to Dalas in our meetings and conversations, however, he always signed each art work with his full name, Gene Dalasvuyouma

In the above shot, one can see the sacred clown kachina off to the left in the background. The clown smiles broadly raising both arms appearing to display the "peace" symbol with it's fingers. In the immediate foreground, Kyash (parrot) stands to the left of Tocha (hummingbird) and Tsil (chili) kachinas. Nine, eight and eight inches high respectively, each kachina is a combination of traditional colors and natural wood. Both Kyash and Tocha hold a rattle in the left hand. Tsil holds carved chili peppers in both hands.

In the late afternoon sun on a bookshelf in my office, the carvings bring me pleasant memories. My home at the time was in Sedona. Between home and Tuba City was a considerable distance. I'd get a phone call from Gene asking if I was interested in a new work. We'd agree to meet halfway at the lookout pull-off at the top of the switchback of Oak Creek Canyon. One such meeting took place after dark. I wait in the parking area for his car to pull up. When he finally arrived, we greet each other in eerie pitch black darkness. Gene comments about the nature of our meeting suggesting a better time and place. Until he mentioned it, it never occurred to me that to an onlooker, two men standing in the dark in the tall Ponderosa pines looking into the open trunk of a car suggested something other than a purchase of a hand carved Hopi kachina.