Hopi Cottonwood Chakwaina Katsina Doll [R]

Chakwaina appears most often in January during the Kiva Dances, dancing in a line with lively gestures, stooping and turning and singing a spirited tune. It has been said that Chakwaina represents Estevan the Moor, who led Fray Marcos de Niza in search of Cibola and was killed at Zuni. Barton Wright, the noted Katsina expert, said this is not likely because Chakwaina originally came from the Rio Grande pueblos, migrated to Zuni, then to Hopi from Zuni.

Chakwaina appears in Hopi, Zuni and Keresan pueblos but not in New Mexico Tewa Pueblo ceremonies. Chakwaina is a warrior of great repute and his costume indicates this with its double bandoleers, buckskin kilt and the warrior pahos on his head.  He carries a bow in his hand.  The white marks on his torso are warrior marks.

This carving is probably from the mid-20^th century or slightly later.  It is provided with a stand for display but the stand is removable if one wished to hang the doll from the string.  This carving of Chakwaina does not show the double bandoleers, possibly the carver’s manner of carving a doll for sale that did not contain all the elements of one made for gifting to Hopi females.

Condition:  very good condition with some abrasion to the paint.  No breakage or repairs.

Provenance:  from the collection of a resident of California

Recommended Reading: Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls by Barton Wright