Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0370-0854   CAS 0370-0854; 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. 1940s
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Cottonwood (Populus sp.) roots; Paint; Feathers; Dyed horsehair; Cotton string
Description 3-dimensional carved figure in standing position, representing Kachin' Mana (Katsina Girl or Yellow Corn Girl), who appears with numerous katsinam and takes the name of each one; Her presence is a prayer for corn; Figure's hair is arranged in butterfly whorls indicating her unmarried status and she wears a yellow face mask with dyed red horse hair over her face representing red bangs and row of small feathers below her chin representing a beard; She wears carved and painted black woven dress, red, black, and white maiden's shawl, and white moccasins and leggings; Figure is sometimes depicted carrying a basket.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 30.4, Width = 17.7, Depth = ca. 14.0