Feathers
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.
Warrior or Orge this large wood craving could be called a sculpture or a Katchina. Standing 26 inches tall on a wooden base painted with vibrant paints and decorated with fur, feather, and hair. This piece came with a large collection of other Katsinas and unusual carvings and dolls, that is available on a secondary market.
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.
Julius Grey is Navajo Kachina carver that creates these miniature dolls. An amazing feature is that these little carvings have masks that are removable! Call to see which Katsina dancers we have in stock.
"Traditional Woman Dancer", by Sioux-Delaware Native American Erla Graham. This carving stands 25 inches tall and is created entirely by hand by crafts person Erla Graham. Her work has been valued up to $2000.00 in auctions.
"Medicine Man" by Erla Graham, is a large doll or a carving unique in it's category. Given extreme attention to detailing, Erla has carved the figure and created the costumes and decorated them. The Medicine Man is dancing, wearing a real buffalo skin headress and is holding a real Ermin that is fully beaded. The carved figure stands 23 inches tall.
Peyote Prayer Fan- These beautiful American arts and crafts fans are used during dances and at Pow Wow's. Pheasant feathers, seed beads, white deer hide and string is used to create these fans, they also make great objects of art to hang on the wall. Measures 25 inches long and varies in width depending on whether the fan is open or closed.
Peyote Prayer Fans- Fans are used in ceremonies while singing and during prayers. At Pow Wows they are used during the dances. This new fan was made by Lana Bahe a Navajo crafts woman.
"Petroglyph People" by gourd artist of New Mexico, Robert Rivera. This wall piece is a colorful Shaman that has lots of character and plenty of objects that give him spiritual power. There are feathers, turtle shells, horse hair, bones and shells and beads. Measuring 45 inches by 57 inches.
