Natsaka (Black Ogre) Kachina, 1988
Gary Hayah, First Mesa, Hopi Pueblo
cottonwood, fur, horse hair, leather, shells, pigment
14" x 7" x 6"
In Hopi mythology Nataska (Black Nataska) is the uncle of the family of ogre Katsinam (or Kachina) who guard Soyok Wuhti (Monster Woman), and who enforce good behavior among the children. Nataska is a Mongkatsina, a chief among the Katsinam. Wiharu (White Nataska) is a similar or identical Katsina with a white rather than black face.
As with other Hopi Katsinam, Nataskas exist in three senses: as spiritual beings, as dancers / characters in the yearly rituals (who are understood as metaphors for and to some extent manifestations of the beings), and as carved wooden figures depicting the beings. They serve a cultural role of explaining the Hopi way of life, particularly for indoctrinating children in the society's history, behavioral expectations, moral codes, and ritual practices. They are also part of the ceremony for inducting young children into the Kachina Society.
Nataska appears during the midwinter bean planting ceremony, early in the ceremonial season on First and Second Mesa. Men of the village, dressed as Nataska and other ogres, visit the homes of families with children, demanding gifts of food with a warning that if the gift is unsatisfactory when they return, or if the children have misbehaved, they will return to kidnap or eat the children. Often, the families have mentioned their children's misbehavior in advance of the visits, so that the children are frightened into thinking the ogres have special powers of observation.
The ogres appear again at the Powamuya (bean dance) accompanying Soyok Wuhti to threaten children against misbehaving. In some versions of the ceremony, they are vanquished or appeased by the end of the dance so as to spare the children's lives, and return to their caves until next season.
