BADGER (HOTO) KACHINA

Kerry Lyle David is from Walpi on First Mesa and has been carving kachina dolls for more than 30 years. Kerry uses only hand tools in making his carvings. He credits his skill to the teachings of his grandfather, Abbott, his father, Leslie, and his uncle, Gorman David. And he says he has also been influenced a lot by his uncle, Neil David, Sr., and from watching other master carvers such as Cecil Calnimptewa and Lowell Talashoma, Sr. His inspiration, however, always comes from watching the Kachinas in the dances.
Kerry and his work are featured in Theda Bassman’s Hopi Kachina Dolls and their Carvers, Helga Teiwes’ Kachina Dolls, The Art of Hopi Carvers, and The Hopi Approach to the Art of Kachina Doll Carving by Erik Bromberg, among others. HIs work in included in a significant number of private and public collections including the National Museum of the American Indian.
Badger (Hototo or sometimes Honan in the Hopi language) appears at all three Mesas. He has many roles including guard, gift bearer, and warrior,  and plays an important part, as animals are teachers, advisors, and doctors. He has great knowledge of roots and herbs and is sought for his wisdom and his ability to cure the sick by using herbal potions. Traditionally, the Badger kachina appears in the summer dances and is mainly seen during the Bean and Mixed Kachina Dances.
The piece in our collection is a fine example of the Badger kachina, displaying exquisitely detailed carving and soft earth tone colors. It was acquired from a private dealer.