Komanchi

Shungopovi – June, 1969 These I remember...

A long time ago, Tawaquaptewa took me to Moencopi for Angakichina dance. I remember this as I look down from the rooftop into the dance court. I remember it well because I had six lunches in six Hopi houses, all friends of the old "chief." Now I am looking down at a sea of flowers and beauty. Not only Dohcha, the hummingbird's Kachinam-somewhat dressed as the Parrots with a long bill, of course - but each of the thirtyfive dancers have a long turquoise stick about two feet long from which red horse hair is hanging and the end is decorated with a bouquet of green parrot and two eagle feathers. The moccasins are also green and red. The Wohe has a velvet shirt; the drummer has a cluster of owl feathers. Huhuwa or "crosslegged" Kachina depicts the spirit of an old man from Mishongovi where people are sharp talkers with wise cracks embedded with intelligent observations. This Kachina walks in his own style, giving significance with sign language by his hands. At lower Moenkopi, the Kishonvi is small, so the rooftops are not only the most practical but also an extremely pleasant way of watching events because you are looking down close to the Kachinam. That is how I noticed pails here and there completely filled with plastic flowers. This "symbolically" should please, satisfy and nourish all these dancing hummingbirds. This time hummingbird became an "uncle," as nearly fifty corn Kachinam visited Shungopovi on June 7, 1969. As plain and essential as corn is to Hopi life, as plain and obviously simple is the appearance of the corn Kachina: three color faces, plain upper white, with horizontal black lines for eyes, a band of turquoise with a yellow base from which protrudes a red tubular mouth. Then on each side, as would be wings, are two square ears dominated by eagle feathers. Along the row of so many Kachinam with simple and even designs, the "uncle" (or side dancer) performs alone with his own gestures and steps; his long pointing beak and many precarious feathers make him a delight to witness. His colorful glory enchances the appearance of it all, as does the real hummingbird among blooms.