Hopi Koshari Kachina

Clark Tenakhongva

Clark Tenakhongva was born in 1956 and comes from a long line of accomplished Hopi carvers.  Clark, along with other young carvers have rekindled the traditional style of Hopi doll carving, like their Grandparents who were actively carving in the early 1900's. These dolls closely resemble those dolls made at the turn of the century.

The early traditional style Kachinas have bodies that are carved to approximate human proportions.  For example, the arms are usually at right angles and are pressed against the body.  A static kilt and sash resemble the lower part of the body and the legs are usually short.  The head however, is carved and painted correctly to identify each specific Kachina.  These dolls exhibits a pronounced spirituality because of their strong stylization and abstractness.  For Clark, his Kachina carving is less of an art form and more of a religious act.

Clark's natural paints are very unique.  They are thick and textured.  He does not use a sealant, but uses a substance called 'tuuma' which makes the pigment very difficult to rub off.  He gets his pigments from all over the southwest and he uses natural pigments of plant dyes and minerals.  

This particular traditional style Kachina is the Koshari. The Koshari clowns are considered to be the father of the Kachinas. Indications are that the clown belongs to the Underworld and the normal Upper World, and possesses attributes of both worlds. They behave in the usual manner of Pueblo clowns... loud conversation, inappropriate actions and of course, gluttony.

Kosharis are figures that are both sacred and profane. Their amusing actions are not what the Hopi would like to be caught doing in public. Every attribute is reversed, which may account for the clowns saying the opposite of what they mean. Kosharis are always shown in a humorous pose. Any form of humor that will produce laughter will be utilized and through this humor they emphasize how ridiculous improper behavior can be.

Like all Kosharis, this one is easily identified by the black and white stripes that are painted all over the body. With a black and white skull cap and conical horns, this doll is very true to Hopi form and tradition. He is wearing a carved breechclout and a cloth flour sack is tied around his waist  There is also a cloth medicine bag tied around his neck. There are real corn husks for the tops of the horns and ears.

Clark first started carving Kachinas when he was 13 years old and mostly carved what he calls the 'Michelangelo' dolls, or the more precise detailed dolls. He also carved the 'old-style' or what he refers to as the traditional style dolls that he used to decorate his house.  When a trader from Second Mesa first saw these dolls hanging on the walls of Clark's home, he suggested that Clark should start selling these dolls.  So, in 1994, Clark started carving the traditional dolls full time and the first show he entered was at the Santa Fe Indian Market.  

Clark recalls this as one of his greatest years because he ran away with the whole show that year.  He received the "Best of Classification" in his category, as well as "First, Second, Third and Best of Division.  Clark has been winning awards ever since and has further refined his style.  Today, Clark exclusively carves the traditional style dolls and states that "I would not be comfortable carving a detailed doll now, because I would be going away from the religious beliefs of how they're supposed to be carved.  Within my heart I believe this is the right way."  Clark also believes that a carver should speak Hopi. "if you don't speak and understand it," he says, "you don't know the significance behind it, and that's important."

The Koshari is signed on the bottom of the feet with Clark's signature and hallmark.  Clark is one of 19 featured artists in the book "Traditional Hopi Kachinas" by Jonathan S. Day.  Clark is also in "The Art of The Hopi" by Lois & Jerry Jacka on several pages.

The Kachina comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Clark .

If you are interested in this collectable, please call toll-free at 888-769-9190
or e-mail: tim@tribalcollectors.com