Hopi Masau’u Mana Katsina Doll [SOLD]

Female Katsina companions to male Katsinas are referred to as “sisters.”  This Masau’u Mana is the sister of the male Masau’u Katsina.  She may appear at any time of the year, as does Masau’u, and dances with him in a separate line.  Her face is covered with mud or grayish-brown earth for she is supposed to bring rain.

Masau'u is a very important Katsina. He is the Death Katsina (Barton Wright) or the Earth God (Alph Sekakuku), and, as such, does not have to depart the village at the Niman Ceremony. He may dance at any time of the year. Since he represents the world of the dead, he does everything in reverse, since the world of the Dead is the reverse of the world of the Living.

Alph Secakuku in his outstanding book, Hopi Kachina Tradition: Following the Sun and Moon, spells the name of this katsina Maasaw and refers to him as an Earth god who represents protection and guidance, moisture of rain, and bountiful harvest.

This carving of Masau’u Mana by Jimmy Kewanwytewa (Jimmy K) is an all-wood carving and dates to the 1950s.  She carries in her left hand a gourd bowl which she uses, with a rasping stick and sheep scapulae, to make a thundering sound to encourage rain to come. There is no evidence that the doll had a rasping stick.  She wears her hair in the butterfly style of unmarried Hopi girls.  Her long beard represents falling rain.

Jimmie K, as he was known, was an active carver from ca. 1910-1966. He was the first Hopi to sign Katsina carvings. He began this practice in the 1940s and although it was controversial at the time, many other Hopi soon followed suit. Jimmie K was a dynamic, charismatic individual who educated thousands of visitors to the Museum of Northern Arizona. He sang traditional Hopi songs, provided countless demonstrations on Katsina carving, and gave lectures about Hopi traditions and culture.

His obituary in Plateau stated in part: "During his thirty-two years of service to the Museum of Northern Arizona, Jimmy became an institution himself. Thousands of people throughout the country were his friends, and greeted him enthusiastically on every return visit. He was the embodiment of the Hopi way of life and will live forever in the hearts of all who knew him." (Plateau Journal Summer 1966:71.)

Condition:  It appears that the left foot was broken and glued back in place.  It is virtually an invisible repair.

Provenance: this Hopi Masau’u Mana Katsina Doll is from the collection of a family from Oklahoma

References:

- Secakuku, Alph. Hopi Kachina Tradition: Following the Sun and Moon

- Wright, Barton. Kachinas: a Hopi Artist’s Documentary

Photo courtesy: Hopi Katsina: 1,600 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Schaaf.

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, Katsina dolls, Jimmy Koots, Romando Vigil, Tse Ye Mu, Manfred Susunkewa, Walter Howato