Hopi Wutaka or Pip-ka (Old Man) Katsina Doll [SOLD]

This is one of the Kachinas who appear during the fast parade, and he parades with other Katsinas through the village.  He appears usually in conjunction with the puppet dances which occur with infrequent regularity at the mesas.  He is not peculiar to any mesa at Hopi Pueblo and has and does appear at all mesas, but more frequently on First Mesa, where he performs as a side dancer.

He has been known to appear in the mixed Katsina dances and may come and ask the clowns to plant corn, the seeds for which he carries in his bag.  He has also been known to appear at the summer plaza dances, as well as infrequently at the first day of Bean Dance, where he will appear early in the morning and give presents to the spectators and kids, and then not appear later in the day.  He is one of the chief, wuya, Kachinas, especially on Second Mesa.  He has appeared recently.  First Mesa informants state that the dress may vary and could be white.

The Katsina normally carries a cane in one hand (because he is an old man) and a bag in which he carries corn seeds.  The name Wutaka is his name at First Mesa and Pipta-ka is his name at Third Mesa.  He does not appear at Second Mesa.  He is the portrayal of an elder who comes to the clowns and all who will listen to right their wrongs.  He respects the Hopi way of life.

Condition: good condition with both feet having been broken off and glued back in place, missing items from hands.  Very slight paint abrasion.

Provenance:  from the collection of a gentleman in California

Reference and Recommended Reading: Kachinas: Spirit Beings of the Hopi by Ricks and Anthony