Description

Hand carved by late, well-known Hopi artist Jocelyn Vote, one of only a handful of Hopi female carvers, this graphic kachina doll depicts the Yo-we, or Priest Killer.  In the late 1600s, the Hopi rebelled against the Spanish priests at the same time as the Pueblos along the Rio Grande, but in contrast to the eastern groups the Hopi were never reconquered. Yo-we is thought to be the kachina that killed the priest at Oraibi during this revolt. He grabbed for the priest’s girl friend but succeeded only in tearing off one of her earrings, which is why this kachina always appears with a single earring, depicted on this piece on the right ear.  Jocelyn’s version of Yo-we showcases the priest’s head, severed at the neck in the right hand, with a knife held in the left.  Four feathers are carved top his head, with the ace painted black with turquoise and white accents, along with red ears.  The remainder of the piece is predominantly brown, with carved clothing accents along the lower half, painted in green, blue, white, black, and red.  11 1/2″ tall x 3 1/4″ wide x 3 1/8″ deep.