Katsinas are spirit beings who are the intermediaries between the Hopi and their deities, carrying the prayers of the Hopis for the continuation of the cycle of life of all living things. They may represent the spirit of plants, animals, forces of natures, places or even other tribes. Some are known for their duties (eg: guard, clown...) and not all names are translatable. They appear in the plazas for Hopi villages for approximately 6 months of the year as they dwell in the katsina or spirit world for the other half of the year.
They are carved from the root of the cottonwood tree - used because the cottonwood grows only where there is an ample and consistent supply of water - rare around the Hopi mesas - and because of the water-seeking nature of the roots, which can grow out and down a couple hundred feet or more in search of the water table. If you are interested in learning more, visit our website
www.hopikatsina.com
Between our Santa Fe and Tucson stores we have somewhere between 400 and 500 katsinas so on our website we can only hope to show you a cross-section. Please contact us if you are looking for something specific that you do not see. We may have it or be able to acquire it for you
For each katsina we sell, we provide an information sheet similar to the ones above. (the Hemis katsina above has been sold)
A book on the Hopi by a Hopi. Currently out of print but you can find copies online. Secakuku provides greater context for the katsinas with insight from the Hopi point of view.
A great book. It profiles nearly 2 dozen Hopi katsina carvers - past and present. $16.95 Paperback.
A Wakas or Cow Katsina by Brian Holmes. It is 14.5 inches high and $300. Next is a Patnga or Squash katsina by Kevin Quanimptewa. 11.5 inches high and $300. The Alosaka was made by Randy Howato. 13 inches high and $600. (ALL in SANTA FE)
The three dolls in the row above are all by Raynard Lalo. Each is 11 inches high to wing tips and each $300. From left to right: Hootsko or Spruce Owl, an Angwusanomtawa or Crow Bride, and a Mongwa or Owl. (ALL in SANTA FE)
The dolls above were made by Randy Brokeshoulder. A Momo or Bee katsina, 18.25 inches high and $750. The Hilili, one of the whipper or guard katsinas. it stands just under 10 inches tall. $280. A Sösöpa or Cricket by Randy Brokeshoulder, 14.25 inches high to the tips of the grass and SOLD. (ALL in Santa Fe)
By Darance Chimerica of the Fire Clan from the village of Munqapi, a Hilili 11.25 inches tall. $300. A Qööqöqlö by Brendan Kayquoptewa, it is about 8 inches high to the top of the head and SOLD. Next is a Tsiitoto or Tobacco Flower by Ryan Gashweseoma. 12 inches high to feather tips and $330. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
By Clark Tenakhongva, a Koyemsi (Mudhead). 8 inches high and $400. (TUCSON) By Ryon Polequaptewa, a Tsili or Chile katsina, 12.75 inches high and $450. (SANTA FE) A Tsaveyo* by Lenno Polingyumptewa, 11.5 inches high and $550. (SANTA FE)
*Tsaveyo is one of the Sooyoko or so-called ogre katsinas, known in Hopi as the Tuwalakum.
The first two dolls above are both by Raynard Lalo. A Sólàawitsi or Sun Speaker, 10.25 inches high to feather tip and $300. A Sikya Taiyo or Yellow Fox, just over 10 inches high and $300. The next two dolls in the photos at right are by Hongvi Marquez. A Hootsani, 7.5 inches high and $260. (First three in SANTA FE) A Hospowikatsina or Roadrunner katsina, 9 7/8 inches high and $300. (TUCSON)
Hootsani is derived from the Keres pueblo word for leader and according to Hopi legend it represents a Hopi man who went to live at one of the Keresan pueblos along the Rio Grande during a particularly difficult time for the Hopi and came back, bringing important gifts.
A Koonin Hu by Ryan Gashweseoma. 11.5 inches high and $400. (SANTA FE) A Qotsa Wakas or White Cow katsina, by Sam Masayumptewa. 8 inches and $350. (TUCSON) A Natukvika or “Split” katsina also by Nick. 15.25 inches high and $450. (SANTA FE)
A Hoho Mana by Carl Nequatewa. 10 inches tall and $240. A Putskòokatsina or Rabbit Stick katsina by Kevin Honyouti. This one is just under 10 inches high and $275. The Morivosi is 12 inches high to feather tip and $350. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
The first two in this row are by Brendan Kayquoptewa. The Pöökhonghoya (one of the Twin War Gods) and the Sikya Qöqölö are each $275. An Aya or Rattle katsina by Hongvi Marquez. 9 inches high to feather tips and $300. (ALL IN TUCSON)
