Hopi Kweo (Wolf) Katsina Doll [SOLD]

The Wolf Katsina appears with other animal katsinas, serving in the function of a guard. He dances in line with the other katsinas, but then at times will leave the line and move to the fringes of the dance arena insuring that nothing is bothering the other katsinas. All animal dances are prayers for rain and an abundance of game animals.

Whenever Deer and Antelope Katsinas dance, the Wolf is usually there. He is considered a side dancer at those times. In real life, the wolf is prey to the deer and antelope, so the Hopi use him in these dances in the hope that he will use his skill and knowledge to help them capture those game animals.

A gentleman who worked for the Department of the Interior in Denver, Colorado, who passed away in the mid-1940s, collected this Katsina doll; therefore, this carving pre-dates that time period.

Condition:  original condition

Provenance: from a gentleman from California