Eerie, Early 20th C. Hopi Hehey'a

Buffalo Barry's Indian Art

There are several versions of Hehey’a katsinam and this one is generally referred to Hehey’a Amutaqa, or the Hehey’a Uncle who is said to travel with the Ogres. He appears primarily during the Powamuya or Bean Dance ceremonies. This one has an eerie presence in part because the center of his eyes are white – not filled in – give it a strange vacant appearance.

This example is 10” tall and 4” wide. His right arm extends 4 ¼”. He has female genitalia symbols paint on his body in two places. He has two rather amusing frogs painted on the back of his head. A very unusual feature is that he has two fragments of sheep horns attached to his hip. He is also wearing two maroon yarn wrist bands. And he is encircled by a leather belt with a scalloped design. There is an aged crack in the middle of his chest that is stable.

$3,850.00

Artwork details