Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0370-0527   CAS 0370-0527; 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; Figure represents Powamui Katsina (Bean Dance Katsina) who wears no mask during night ceremonies; His torso is painted reddish orange with one yellow shoulder and one blue shoulder; Forearms and lower legs are also painted either blue or yellow; Figure wears reddish orange moccasins, and black breechclout; Three yellow flowers are positioned in his hair; Arms and legs are attached to body with leather thong.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 16.1, Width = 5.9, Depth = 2.8