Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0370-0524   CAS 0370-0524; 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; First Mesa; Village: Polacca
Maker's Name Benson Seenie (ca. 1931-1999)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1950s
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Wood; Paint; Cotton string; Leather
Description Marionette-style katsina with movable arms and legs and "puppet strings" looped through hands; Figurine represents Koyemsi (Mudhead Katsina), a multi-faceted clown who may appear as part of a group or individually at numerous dances; Figure's body is completely painted brown with large black circle with white dots on his belly; He wears a black breechclout, black kerchief, black leggings, and orange moccasins, and black bracelets or armbands; His mask is also brown with slightly bulging eyes and mouth and a knob on either side as well as on forehead and on back; Arms and legs are attached to body with leather thong.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 15.3, Width = 5.8, Depth = 2.9