Hopi Ogre kachina by Henry Shelton
Hopi Ogre kachina, ca. 1950s.
Made from cottonwood and pigment paints.
The Black Ogre (Nata-aska), is a disciplinarian who appear around the time of the Powamuya Ceremony. He carries a a knife as well as a bow and arrows for hunting. The males' outstanding feature is their long, flapping jaws, which they can clack quite loudly. The purpose of these Katsinam is to reinforce the Hopi way of life to the children of the Pueblo. These Ogres accompany Soyoko on her trip to collect food from the children for the Katsinam . As a means of discipline children are told the Ogres can swallow them whole, unless they are good. The fierce and threatening behavior of these Katsinam strikes fear into the children, but they are eventually saved from imminent danger by the people of their Pueblo.
Made by famous carver Henry Shelton. Has twine for hanging on a wall.
Measurements: 12" tall, approximately 6" wide, 5" deep.