HOPI KACHINA FIGURE

Joseph Jacinto Mora (1876-1947), Monterey, acquired when living near Oraibi between 1904-1906

Jo N. Mora Jr, Monterey, by descent from the above

George Terasaki, New York, acquired from the above in March, 1972

Alexandra Pascassio and George Terasaki, Kachina: George Terasaki Collection, Paris, 2008, n.p., cat. no. 29

Sio Hemis is a "borrowed kachina" from the New Mexico pueblo of Jemez. Sio Hemis plays a prominent role in the Niman ceremony, or "Homegoing Ceremony for Kachinas", the last ritual in the Kachina ceremonial cycle performed in mid-summer. During the Niman, the Hemis kachinas dance with their Mana (or female counterparts) in two parallel lines, moving in opposite directions, which is described as being "truly magical [resembling] a firework display of light and color which always charms the spectators and stirs up strong emotions” (Geneste and Mickeler, Kachina: Messengers of the Hopi and Zuñi Gods, Paris, 2011, p. 113).