Hopi Kachina Priest Killer After Killing (Yo-we) By Terrance Lewis

7.5" H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root with Great Attention to Detail

Excellent Condition 

Terrance Lewis, a Hopi artisan known for crafting authentic representations of Hopi spiritual figures.

Terrance Lewis is a contemporary Hopi carver from the Second Mesa village of Mishongnovi, specializing in detailed Kachina dolls that blend traditional techniques with personal artistry. His works are prized in collector circles for their fidelity to Hopi iconography and spiritual intent. Lewis, like many Hopi artisans, learned carving from family elders, ensuring the continuity of sacred knowledge. Pieces by him, including this Yo-we, are often exhibited or sold through reputable Native American art dealers.

Yo-we, or Yowe (sometimes spelled Yowi), is an Ogre Kachina revered as a powerful enforcer of justice within Hopi lore. He is particularly associated with warrior clans and embodies the authority to punish wrongdoing, including the ultimate act of taking life. The name "Priest Killer" stems from a legendary event during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680—a widespread Indigenous uprising against Spanish colonial rule and forced Catholic conversions.