Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0520-0056   CAS 0520-0056; 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. 1960s
Collection Name Owings Collection (Hopi Katsinam)
Materials Cottonwood (Populus sp.) roots; Paint; Devil's claw (Martynia sp.) pods
Description 3-dimensional carved figure in standing position with outstretched arms, representing Puchkafmok' Taka (Scorpion Katsina), a runner figure; Figure's body is painted tan with blue stripes extending from shoulders down both legs and arms on both front and back; He wears carved and painted black loincloth and carries remnant of rattle (?) in right hand; Pale yellow sack mask has round painted eyes, pair of black vertical lines on each cheek, black snout, pair of pincher horns (made from devil's claw), and carved and painted black neck ruff; Single white feather is stuck in top of head.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 39.0, Width = 17.0, Depth = ca. 12.5