Flat Dolls-Putskatihu

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 frist two are both by Nick Brokeshoulder. The Hano Mana is 11 inches high and $90. The Angwusanomtaqa or Crow Mother is 11.75 inches high and $90. The Honankatsina or badger was made by Troy Pavinyama. It is 8 inches high to feather tips. SOLD. At right is a Navan or Velvet Shirt katsina by Hongvi Marquez. This one is 6.5 inches high to the top of the head and SOLD. (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 first two dolls in the photos at left are by Ranier Koruh and are in Tucson: a Hoototo, or rain priest of the south, 9 inches and $90; A Saiastasana, or rain priest of the north, 11 inches and $110. The next one is a Sólàawitsi or Sun Speaker by Hongvi Marquez. 6.75 inches high to feather tips and $55. (Santa Fe) Last but certainly not least is a Kyarkatsina or Parrot katsina by Shawn Deel. 11.5 inches high and SOLD.

A Palhikwmana or Butterfly Maiden by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa, she is 7 inches high to the top of her head and $70. A Ngayayataqa or Swaying Man katsina, one of many corn katsinas, by Troy Pavinyama. 8.5 inches high to feather tips and SOLD. A Hilili or Gaurd katsina by Hongvi Marquez. Just under 7.75 inches high to feather tips and SOLD. (ALL in SANTA FE)

A Sootukwnangwu or Sky Deity by Leander Tenakhongva, 20.75 inches high to the feather tip and $185. (SANTA FE) A Hahay’iwuuhti by Brendan Kayquoptewa. 11 inches and $80. (TUCSON) By Nick Brokeshoulder, a Kisa or Prairie Falcon is 13 3/8 inches high to feather tips and SOLD. (SANTA FE) Last in the row is a Morivosi or Bean katsina by Hongvi Marquez. 13 inches high to the tallest feather tip and $140.

By Eric Kayquaptewa, a Palhikwmana or Dew Drinking Maiden. 12.75 inches high to feather tip and $85. Darance Chimerica carved this Solaawitsi, 11.5 inches tall and $140. Last in the row is a Sakwa Sohu or Blue Star katsina by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 10.25 and $70. (ALL IN SANTA FE)

 Sometimes called Little Fire God in English,h his name might be best translated as Sun’s Speaker. At Zuni he appears during the Winter Solstice, when the sun begins its return journey and also carries a cedar bark torch. He carries a fawn skin slung over his shoulder that contains the seeds of all the crops that will be planted come Spring. During the Zuni Salako ceremony he also carries a basket of prayer feathers for another portion of the ceremony. His Hopi name is Kokoshoya.

A Kuwan Kookopölö or Fancy/Colorful Kokopelli by Lean Monongye. 8.25 inches high and $50. A Qööqöqlö by Lean Monongye, 9.75 inches high and $50. At right is a Laguna Corn katsina by Shawn Deel, this one is 14 inches high to feather tips and $175. (All in SANTA FE)