Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0370-0848   CAS 0370-0848; 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. 1930s to 1940s
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Cottonwood (Populus sp.) roots; Paint; Wool; Feathers; Dyed horse hair
Description 3-dimensional carved figure in standing position, representing Marao, a katsina introduced at Hopi in the 1920s and possibly of Zuni or Navajo origin; Figure wears full head mask that is half red and half turquoise blue with protruding snout and surmounted by plaited basketry rim and 3 sticks extending up in tripod and streaming feathers and red horsehair; Feather bundle tied to back of head; Whorl-shaped ears are outlined in red wool; Upper body is also painted half red and half turquoise with white zigzags down front and back of chest and down both arms; Figure wears multicolored kilt with fox tail and high-topped moccasins and carries gourd rattle in right hand and deer antler in left hand.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 38.1, Width = 9.7, Depth = 9.9