Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0520-0095   CAS 0520-0095; 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. 1950s
Collection Name Owings Collection (Hopi Katsinam)
Materials Cottonwood (Populus sp.) roots; Paint; Feathers; Canvas cloth
Description 3-dimensional carved figurine in standing position, representing Siyangephoya (Left-handed Katsina), so called because the hunting gear he usually carries is reversed (e.g., drawing an arrow from his quiver would have to be done with the right hand, rather than the usual left hand); Figure's body is completely painted light gray with dark gray horizontal stripes on his left arm and right leg; He wears a painted dark gray breechclout; His dark gray case mask, has red tab ears with feathers through each one, painted white diamond-shaped eyes, a rectangular mouth with bared teeth and protruding dark gray tongue; Neck ruff is made from rolled strip of canvas fabric and is painted alternately in dark and light gray.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 48.2, Width = 14.4, Depth = 13.7