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.
Randy Brokeshoulder has recently joined our team at our Santa Fe shop. A Hopi katsina carver himself (a member of the Tobacco Clan from the village of Hotvela on Third Mesa), he is very knowledgable as well as willing and able to answer questions visitors may have about carving or about the katsinas themselves. We are very happy - and lucky - to be working with him this season!
The first two dolls below are made by Randy and the one at far right is made by hif father, Nick Brokeshoulder. From left to right: A Momo or Bee katsina, 18.25 inches high and $750 . A Honan or Badger katsina, 13.5 inches high and $400. Natukvika or “Split” katsina, 15.25 and $450. (ALL in Santa Fe)
The two katsinas in the photos at left are both by Darance Chimerica of the Fire Clan from the village of Munqapi. Left to right: A Hilili 11.25 inches tall, a Sösöpa/Cricket 12.5 inches tall. Each is priced at $300. The two katsinas in the photos at right are both by Augustine Mowa III. A Yöngöksina or Turtle katsina is 9 inches to the top of the head and $280. The Soongwuqa or Milkyway is 12 3/8 inches high to feather tips. $300. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
By Clark Tenakhongva, a Koyemsi (Mudhead). 8 inches high and $400. (TUCSON) A Wukooqal’katsina by Ryon Polequaptewa. Known as a warrior or guard katsina this one measures 12 inches high. $400. The next two were both made by Nick Brokeshoulder. The Lightning Longhair is 13.75 inches to the tips of his lightning and $260. (SANTA FE)
The Heoto is by Hongvi Marquez, it is 6.25 inches high and $160. By Shawn Deel, a Pangwu or Mountain Sheep. 13.5 inches high to the feather tip and $475. A Sootantaqa or Laguna Gambler by Dustin Holmes, 11 inches high and $250. (All in Santa Fe)
A Hoho Mana by Carl Nequatewa. 10 inches tall and $240. The next two dolls are by Raynard Lalo. The Patung Squash katsina is just over 10 inches high and $400. The Yongoyup katsina or Cactus Flower katsina is 9.75 inches high to the top of the head and $400. The Soyal Katsina (one of the Mong or Chief katsinas) was made by Randy Howato. 14 inches high to feather tip and $425. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
The first two in this row are by Brendan Kayquoptewa and are at our store in Tucson. The Pöökhonghoya (one of the Twin War Gods) and the Sikya Qöqölö are each $275. Third in this row is a Yöngöksina or Turtle katsina by Anthony Monongye. It is 9.25 inches high to the top of the head and $300. (SANTA FE) A Hakto by Dustin Holmes, 9 inches high and $200. (SANTA FE)
A Crow Mother katsina by Keith Quanimptewa that is 9.5 inches tall and $240. An Aya or rattle katsina by Nick Brokeshoulder, 14.5 inches high and $250. The Pang or Mountain Sheep katsina was made by Ryan Gashweseoma. 11 inches and $350. (All in TUCSON)
The katsinam in this row are all by Raynard Lalo and all in Santa Fe. The Totsa or Hummingbird is 10 inches high and $270. A Kweo or Wolf katsina, 10 inches high and $280. A pair of Frogs, the male is 8 inches high to the top of the head while the female is 7.75 inches high. As a pair they are $550, separately the male is $300 and the female is $275. (All in Santa Fe)
