Hopi Pueblo Angakʹchina - Long Hair Katsina Doll [SOLD]

Katsina dolls are carved by men of Hopi as gifts for females of the pueblo, from infants to grandmothers.  Because females do not participate in the katsina ceremonies, it is important that they be included for understanding the rituals.  A family man will carve a doll and ask a dancer to present it to his daughter, niece or other female relative who receives it as a gift from the Katsinas, not knowing it was carved by a relative.  It is meant to be an educational gift, one by which the females understand the purposes of the dancers and the meaning of specific katsinas.

It appears that this Long Hair Katsina doll was presented to a young girl who treasured it.  She, or someone in her family, wrapped a blanket around it and added a bead necklace.  It is not hard to believe that she carried it around like a favored doll.  It is certainly one that was made for the purpose of presentation to a young girl.

The Angakʹchina, known as the Long Hair Katsina, is a rain god. He is a singer of sweet songs who brings rain and flowers. His long hair and beard represent cloudbursts or rain. They appear as dancers in a group at Niman and at plaza dances with manas. Their purpose is to bring rain, and it is said that they seldom dance without the appearance of a soft gentle rain.

The Long Hair is danced from the Rio Grande to the Hopi mesas in almost the same form.  Among the Hopi there are many varieties but the regular Angak'china is the one shown here.  They appear in a group and sing a very melodious song which may be one of the reasons that they are such favorites.

They are often used for the Niman Katsina on First Mesa coming with the Köcha Mana.  In fact, they have danced in late August on First Mesa in direct contradiction to the feeling that only Masau'u can be danced out of season.  This is probably due to the fact that the Hopi-Tewa populate First Mesa and have no restrictions to such appearances.

This is a special katsina doll and should be appreciated for the manner in which it was dressed and loved by a young Hopi girl.

Condition: very good condition with expected wear

Provenance: from the collection of an Oregon family

Recommended Reading: Kachinas: A Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa