Virgil Long, Kowako (Rooster) Katsina carving
Virgil Long
1966-
Hopi
Alternative Name
V.Long
Medium Specific
Cottonwood
Classification
Sculpture: Wood
Dimensions
3 1/2 x 2 x 1 3/4 in. (8.3 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm)
Accession Number
2018.35.28.312
Credit
Gift of Carol and Don Tallman
Memo / Artist Statement
Kowako
This kachina, the Chicken, is definitly post-Spanish and, in all probability, does not date much before 1850, as the Hopi did not have chickens until quite late. Nevertheless there are folktales abou the Chicken and how he lost his girl friend to the Mockingbird Kachina. He appears most often in the kivas during the Palolokong or during the winter Kiva Dances. He may also appear during the dances of early spring in the plaza. Most of the appearances seem to have a strong element of the comic in them as though this kachina may have started as a piptuka. (Wright, 1973:94)
This kachina, the Chicken, is definitly post-Spanish and, in all probability, does not date much before 1850, as the Hopi did not have chickens until quite late. Nevertheless there are folktales abou the Chicken and how he lost his girl friend to the Mockingbird Kachina. He appears most often in the kivas during the Palolokong or during the winter Kiva Dances. He may also appear during the dances of early spring in the plaza. Most of the appearances seem to have a strong element of the comic in them as though this kachina may have started as a piptuka. (Wright, 1973:94)
Biography
Virgil Long has been making crisp and clean sculptures and smaller full figures for us since shortly after we took over Kachina House in 2004. Virgil likes to carve Butterfly Maidens and simple Hano maidens. Virgil doesn't carve as much as he used to, family obligations have taken his time from carving. We welcome him to the shop and his carvings to our shelves.
Kachinahouse.com/native-american-artists/virgil-long, 2020.
In Schaaf 2008:195.
Kachinahouse.com/native-american-artists/virgil-long, 2020.
In Schaaf 2008:195.
Date of Bio
Inscription
Rooster, Virgil Long, Bird Springs (pen)