Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0520-0046   CAS 0520-0046; Katsina
Category Carvings
Object Name Katsina
Culture Hopi
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County Navajo
Other Geographic Data Hopi Indian Reservation
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1940s
Collection Name Owings Collection (Hopi Katsinam)
Materials Cottonwood (Populus sp.) roots; Paint; Red-shafted flicker (Colaptes auratus cafer) and other feathers
Description 3-dimensional carved figurine in standing position, possibly representing Talavai (Morning Singer Katsina), who appears during Powamu (Bean Dance) and distributes the bean sprouts that have germinated in the kivas; Case mask is blue on front (with black and white band along top) and pink on back, with hooked eyes, red tubular mouth, red tab ears, and bundle of feathers tied to top; Shoulders, forearms, and lower legs are yellow and remainder of torso is painted orange; Figure's painted clothing includes white dance kilt, blue garters, brown moccasins, and turquoise and shell necklace.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 31.5, Width = 18.0, Depth = 10.5