Hopi Cottonwood Root Hemis Katsina Doll [SOLD]

The Hemis Katsina is one of the more spectacular looking of all katsinas, particularly when one sees a line of 20 or 30 of them dancing in front of the same number of Hemismanas kneeling and creating rhythm with rasping sticks.  It is a favorite Katsina for the Niman ceremony (Home Dance) at most Hopi villages.

The Niman ceremony is performed precisely at midsummer.  It is the time of the most intense prayer and meditation in the village and is meant for all of mankind, not just for the Hopi.  The Hemis Katsinam bring traditional gifts as stalks of corn, melons, katsina dolls, and bows and arrows, and dance and provide special blessings. The katsinam dance throughout the day and, at the last dance of the day, the village brides of that year are presented, dressed in their wedding robes, to receive special blessings from the katsinam and other supernatural beings.  Each bride is presented with an elaborately created katsina doll, such as this Hemis Katsina doll.  The brides of this day will someday depart the earth and, at that time, will be buried in the same white cotton wedding robe.  (Secakuku, 1995)

At the last dance of the Niman ceremony, the katsina spirits will depart the Hopi villages and return to their spirit world carrying with them the prayers of the Hopi and spreading them to the six directions.  Thus ends the Hopi katsina season until the next year.  The Katsina season is a time of prayer meant for all people of the world, not just for the Hopi.

This Hemis Katsina doll is most likely from the 1940s era.  It wears the traditional wood tableta with phallic symbols and just above the face is a sun shield.  It is an excellent example of this Katsina.  The doll will stand unaided but is also provided with a string so it can be hung.

Condition: very good condition.  One foot has been broken and glued back in place. The right arm separated at the elbow and has been glued back in place and the tableta has been glued on the left side of the face.  All repairs are basically not noticeable.

Reference: Following the Sun and Moon: Hopi Kachina Tradition by Alph Secakuku.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery

Provenance: from a family to whom we sold Katsina dolls as early as the 1980s.