Lolma! (Greeting in the Hopi Language)

For many cultures throughout the world, December is the month of storytelling. In this month of Christmas festivities, families and friends are uniting to share stories, and I think we should do the same.

We are deeply saddened to share that Jackson passed away yesterday after suffering a stroke on Tuesday.

Jackson loved this business—especially the artists he worked with and the clients who appreciated their work. He often said he couldn’t imagine retiring, because this life was such a part of who he was. A gifted storyteller, Jackson frequently shared glimpses of his own life and experiences with you through this newsletter. His humility, warmth, and approachable nature endeared him to so many over the years.

This week marks the return of the Katsina (Kachina) to the Hopi villages. These spirits are believed to return to the Hopi people from their home in the San Francisco peaks. One of our favorite Hopi Carvers, Poleyestewa, has created a collection of dolls in honor of this time.

The Katsina Dances on the Hopi Mesas start in winter and continue into July when the Kachina spirits (Katsinam) go to their home until the following year. At Third Mesa, where Chester Poleyestewa is from, the dances begin when the Katsinam arrive on the Mesa in December. At First and Second Mesas, they arrive in February.

On Friday, April 21, Mom was the first one at the Gallery. She usually has been for the past 40 years. She would unlock the building, get the lights on, fire up the computer, and get the Gallery ready for business.

Yes, there is a day to recognize and celebrate Native American Heritage. It is the day after Thanksgiving. The month of November is Native American Heritage Month.

Hopi Katsinas are physical representatives of Hopi spirits. There are hundreds of these spirits. The Hopi believe they visit the Mesas between January and July to bless the people with good crops, rain, knowledge, health, and more.

The Shalako Festival at Zuni Pueblo is held at this time of year. It was originally held on the 49th day after the tenth full moon. It has been changed to coincide with a weekend near that time to allow people to return to Zuni to take part.

The Kachina are considered to be spiritual beings. The members of the Kachina Societies dress themselves to resemble these beings. The clothing and mask designs have been handed down for centuries.

If you are from the Denver area, and old enough, you might remember a time when the gift shop at the Denver Museum of Natural History had one of the finest selections of Native American Indian arts and crafts in the country. It’s now known as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

In 1973, a group of Hopi artists who were part of the Hopi Arts and Crafts Cooperative Guild, formed a separate group called Artist Hopid.

Chester Poleyestewa is a Hopi Katsina (Kachina) Carver. He is one of the last of the traditional carvers working today. What is the difference between a traditional carver and a modern one?