Also called "cradle dolls' because they are given to Hopi infants, Putsqatihut or flat dolls are the very oldest form of katsinas dolls among the Hopi. After a child has gone through his or her naming ceremony 20 days after birth, the first one received is the Hahay'i wuuhti or katsina grandmother. The next is the katsinmana or katsina maiden. After that they may receive any katsina doll. The katsinas themselves carve them for the young girls who continue to receive them (usually more fully formed and detailed ones as they grow older) until they are initiated into the Hopi Katsina Society.
The first doll in the row was made by Eric Holmes. A Pawik or Duck katsina 11 5/8 inches high to feather tips and $120. By Qöyangnuvtu Mowa, a Sösöpa or Cricket katsina is 6.25 inches high to the top of the head and $75. A Hilili by Carl Nequateqa. 11.5 inches high to feather tips and $110 (ON HOLD). (ALL in Santa Fe)
All by Augustine Mowa III. From left to right, top to bottom: Taawa/Sun, 8 inches tall. Solaawitsi, 8 inches tall and $60, Sivutootovi, 7.5 inches tall and $60. Kokopelli, 7 inches tall and $65. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
The two katsinas at left were made by Justice “juice” Tso, each one is $80. From left to right: Saiastasana or Longhorn katsina is 8.25 inches high to the top of the head. The Zuni warrior at far right measures 9.25 inches high to the feather tip. A Hahay’iwuuhti or Grandmother katsina by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa, she is 6 5/8 inches high to the top of her head and $75. (ALL in SANTA FE)
Each of these are by Larry Melendez, of the Butterfly Clan from the village of Sitsom’ovi on First Mesa. They average by 5.5 inches tall and each is $30. From left to right, top to bottom: Two Qöqölö (yellow for south and black for north), frog, two different feathered Taawa/Sun, and a Hahai Wuuhti. (TUCSON)
The Katsinmana is made by Devon Poseyesva, 10 inches high and $75. The Tsöpkatsina or Antelope katsina was made by Hongvi Marquez. 10 3/8 inches high to feather tip and $85. A Qotsa Mana (White Maiden, who is said by some to represent white corn) is by Eric Holmes, 6.5 inches high and $60. A cute little Hahay’iwuuhti by Carl Nequatewa, 4.75 inches high to feather tip and $25. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A Sootukwnangwu or Sky Deity by Leander Tenakhongva, 20.75 inches high to the feather tip and $185. (SANTA FE) An Anak’china or Longhair katsina by Ryon Polequaptewa. This one is 10.5 inches high to feather tip and $125. (SANTA FE) A Sakwa Matya or Blue Hand katsina by William Gashweseoma, 8.5 inches high to the top of the head and $75. (TUCSON)
All of the dolls in the row above were made by Eric Holmes. Left to right: A Situlili. SOLD. A Moosa, 13.5 inches high to feather tips and $120. A Tokots, 10 5/8” to the top of the head and $100. An Avatshoya, 7.75 inches high to feather tips and $60. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A Kookopölö or Kokopelli by Randy Brokeshoulder. It is 9 inches high and $60. The next three in this row are all by William Gashweseoma: A Sohu or Star katsina measuring 6.25 and $70. An Angwusanomtaqa or Crow Mother, 4 1/8 inches high and SOLD. (ALL in Santa Fe)
A Hahai’iwuuhti or Grandmother katsina by Eric Kayquoptewa. 15 inches high to the top of her head and $160. (SANTA FE)
A Palhikwmana by Raynard Lalo. 21 inches to top of tablita. $300. (TUCSON)
This Qööqöqlö by Ryon Polequaptewa is ~14 inches and is $400.
To combat the intrusion of non-Hopi traditions, specifically Santa Claus and Christmas, he was assigned the task of taking presents to Hopi children just before Christmas Day. He is also known as a storyteller
