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. The Alosaka was made by Randy Howato. 13 inches high and $600. A Huhuuwa** by Hongvi Marquez, it is 7 5/8 inches high and $200. (ALL in SANTA FE)
**This particular carving represents the Huuhuwa or Cross-Legged katsina which is said by some to represent the spirit of an exceptionally kindly man from one of the Hopi villages who lived in the 1800s.
An Owangaroro or Stone Eater katsina by Tayron Polequaptewa. 10 inches high to feather tip and $300. A Yöngöksina or Turtle katsina by Randy Brokeshoulder. 11 1/8” high and $275. A beautifully dressed Navan or Velvet Shirt katsina by Kevin Honyouti. It is 11 3/8 inches high to tallest feather tip and $450. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A beautiful Butterfly Maiden by Kevin Honyouti. This one represents the young women who take part in a social dance at Hopi. This particular one is 18.5 inches high to feather tips and $900. (Santa Fe)
A Kwikwilyaqa or Mocking katsina by Makwesa Chimerica, 10 inches high. $350. (SANTA FE) The Mudhead is by Kevin Quanimptewa. 7 inches and $200. (TUCSON). The Kyashmana or Parrot Maiden was made by Lean Monongye. She is 9.5 inches high and $250. (SANTA FE)
The first doll in the row above was made by Tayron Polequaptewa. A Huru’ing Wuuhti or Cold Bringing Woman is 10 inches high and $300. The next two in this row are both by Raynard Lalo. The Honankatsina or badger is 13.75 inches high to feather tips and $400. The Yöngötsina or Cactus katsina is 14 inches high and $500. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
Totsa is the hummingbird katsina. This one by Brandon Kayquoptewa is 11 inches and $275. (TUCSON) A Tsaveyo* by Lenno Polingyumptewa, 11.5 inches high and $550. (SANTA FE) The Wakas or Cow katsina at far right was made by Tayron Polequaptewa. It is 13.25 inches high to feather tip and $350. (SANTA FE)
*Tsaveyo is one of the Sooyoko or so-called ogre katsinas, known in Hopi as the Tuwalakum.
By Raynard Lalo, a Sólàawitsi or Sun Speaker, 10.25 inches high to feather tip and $300. A Koonin Hu by Ryan Gashweseoma. 11.5 inches high and $400. The Talwíipiki or Lightning katsina is just under 14 inches high and $500. (SANTA FE)
By Randy Brokeshoulder, a Hilili, one of the whipper or guard katsinas. It stands just under 10 inches tall. $280. The next two in the row are both by Tayron Polequaptewa. A Honawkatsina or Bear katsina, this one is 13 inches high to feather tips and $400. The Maakvaho or Hunter katsina is 9.5 inches high to feather tip and $300. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
An Aya or Rattle katsina by Ethan Bryce. 9 inches high to feather tips and $300. (TUCSON) The next two in the row are both by Randy Brokeshoulder and are in SANTA FE. The Putskòokatsina or Rabbit Stick Katsina is 10.25 inches high and $270. The Sólàawitsi or Sun Speaker katsina is 10 3/8 inches high to feather tips and $270.
