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. Third is an Umtoinaqa, Thunder, carved by Darance Chimerica. 11 inches tall and $140. The badger at right was made by Troy Pavinyama. It is 8 inches high to feather tips. $50. (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 by Darance Chimerica. A Paakwa or Frog, 10 inches high and $130. (Santa Fe) The last one in the row is a Palhikwmana or Dew Drinking Maiden/Butterfly Maiden by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 3.75 inches high and SOLD. (Santa Fe)

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 $50. Also by Troy is this Haniya, 11.5 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) The next two are both by Nick Brokeshoulder and are both in Santa Fe. A Laqan or Squirrel, 13.75 inches high and $90. The Kisa or Prairie Flacon is 13 3/8 inches high to feather tips and $90.

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.

The Yöngöksina or Turtle katsina is by Nick Brokeshoulder. 11 inches high to feather tips and SOLD. 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. (All in SANTA FE)