Old Style Hopi Carved Longhair Redbeard (Hokyan Angak'china)Traditional Rain Dancer Katsina Doll by Wayland Namingha
The Longhair Redbeard (Angak'china) is originally from Zuni Pueblo. Long Hair appears at most Hopi Mesas. He wears his hair loose on his back to represent falling rain. He is one of the most popular of all Katsinam. These Katsinam appear in a group and sing a very powerful melodious song which may be one of the reasons that they are such favorites. They often appear at the Home Dance (Niman).Their purpose is to bring rain, and it is said that they seldom dance without the appearance of a soft gentle rain to help the crops grow. The Red-bearded Angak'china or (Hokyan Angak'china) is so named because of the peculiar step he uses in dancing. Click on numbered boxes below image for additional views.
