Hopi Pueblos (Three Mesas)
Sunface: The Sunface Kachina represent the spirit of the Sun. This leader of ceremonies brings warmth, shelter for the old, a bright future, and playfulness for the young. Also brings good luck, and happiness. This doll is coming to us from a private collection it dates from around the 1970's. Measures 12 inch tall.
Deer Kachina: The Deer Kachina is much like all game animals and dances to bring more of his kind. The staff that is held in both hands represents the front legs of the Deer. Deer provided food and skins for clothing and they are seen in many petroglyphs as well as fetishes used by shaman in many tribes.
"Eototo and Aholi" are sold as a set. Eototo is the chief of all kachinas and knows all of the ceremonies. He is the spiritual counterpart of the village chief and as such is called "father" of all the kachinas. He controls the seasons and is sometimes called the husband of Hahai-i Wuhti. During the Powamu or Bean Dance on Third Mesa, he conducts an elaborate ceremony with his lieutenant, Aholi. He draws cloud symbols in corn flower on the ground pointing into the village. Aholi places his ceremonial staff on these and roars out his call. Then they both proceed onward toward the village. This is designed to draw the clouds and moisture into the pueblo. Eototo "goes to the north end of the kiva, rubs a handful of sacred meal to the north side of the hatchway and then pours a little water into the kiva, which is caught up in a bowl by a man standing on a ladder." This offering to the north is then repeated to the other three cardinal directions. Water and the fruitfulness of the earth are thus what his appearance at Powamu promises to the Hopi.
Tsitoto is an ancient Kachina who appears on all three mesas in many ceremonies. The many bands of color and the multicolored feathers provide a rainbow like appearance, and he looks like a walking prayer for summer. Tsitoto is seen most often in the Powamuya or Bean Dance. During this ceremony, which is in February, the Kachinas arrive in force to help the Hopi people prepare for the next growing season. This flower dancer stands 10 1/2 inches tall.
Hopi Knit Dance Socks. The body of the sock is black and it has a belt design at the top in red, green and white.
Here is a beautiful Butterfly Katsina, by Hopi carver, Chester Poleyestewa. Chester carves only the old style katsinas, which may be hung on the wall. At first glance, his pieces may seem simple, but the work and painting is of the utmost craftsmanship and quality, the painting exquisite. This Butterfly has a spiny oyster shell teardrop dangling from her forehead, and a beautiful natural turquoise necklace.
Shown is the Supai Katsina by Hopi carver, Chester Poleyestewa. He carves only the old-style katsinas in cottonwood root, which can be hung on the wall. This Supai has detailed painting on the sash and a lovely natural turquoise necklace.
"Knife Wing Dancer"- this Katsina is considered to be the War God of the Zuni. It is often seen in the inlaid jewelry of the Zuni jewelers. Chester Polyestewa has painted this doll with beautiful pigments and decorated the dancer with feathers, which are often considered to be clouds. The doll has a really positive energy, and is probably a rainbow and bird combination. We will have to ask Chester, next time he comes to the gallery.
Jacob Poleviyouma, is featured in Theta Bassman’s book, "The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry". This beautiful Sunface design, measures 3-3/4 inches in diameter, and was created in 1980 and purchased in Gallup, New Mexico, that year. The tips are handmade with matching Sunface overlay drops on the bottom. The artist died in 1982. The Sunface Kachina is the leader of ceremonies and considered to be essential for life.
Hilili Katsina is said to have originated in the Zuni Pueblo. Hilili is a Guard and he is admired for how fast he dances. The name comes from sounds he makes.
