Zuni Pueblo Koyemshi Katsina Doll

This Zuni carving of a Koyemshi (Mudhead) katsina doll dates from the mid-twentieth century. It was carved from wood, and dressed in fabric and yarn. In traditional form, the arms are movable.

Legend has it that the koyemshi are the result of an incestuous relationship from which ten koyemshi were born. Superficially, the koyemshi, the so-called Mudheads, resemble each other but there are significant details in their masks and gear that indicate their individual identities.

There are always ten koyemshi in every appearance. Their name is derived from the Zuni world yemashi, or husband, for they are the caretakers of the koko, the "husbands" of the katsinas. In addition to their group name, each of the ten has his own name and each has a mask varying from the others. We have chosen this koyemshi to be designated as Eshotsi based on Barton Wright's description as the one having the biggest mouth. Eshotsi, the Bat, is deathly afraid of the dark, avoiding every shadow regardless of its size and is able to see marvelously well in the daylight. [Wright,1985:38-39]

Although the Koyemshi are inverted, childlike, or witless in their behavior, they are regarded as the sages of the ancients, oracles who speak with the voices of idiots mixing wisdom and nonsense in every utterance. Despite their vacillation between crude unthinking play and solemn ceremonial duties, they are the father of the Zuni people, and no other group is more sacrosanct or dangerous than the Koyemsi. To deny them anything, even in one's heart or mind, is to court disaster. ibid

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Koyemshi Katsina Doll is from the collection of a Santa Fe family

Reference: Wright, Barton. Kachinas of the Zuni, with Original Paintings by Duane Dishta, Northland Press, Flagstaff, 1985.

TAGS: Zuni Pueblo, Kachina-Katsina Dolls