Zuni Shulawitsi - Little Fire God Katsina Doll [SOLD]

Shulawitsi is almost an exact duplicate of the Hopi Kokosori, but he is not related to Kokosori.  A young boy who is innocent and pure of heart usually performs him. He carries a fire stick, signifying his responsibility as caretaker of one of the important physical elements of the universe: fire. He is responsible for lighting fires before the Shalako ceremony prior to the winter solstice. The lighting of these fires is the signal for the Shalako to begin their ritual.

The Zuni Pueblo artisan has done a good job portraying this Katsina - Kachina doll. In his right hand he holds the cedar bark torch used to light the ceremonial fires. His body is painted black with dots of the colors of the four cardinal directions—red, yellow, white and blue. There are small bits of turquoise on the chest, back, and arm to portray jewelry.

Condition: The doll is in excellent condition

Provenance: from the collection of a family in Oregon to whom we sold this in 2004

Recommended Reading: Kachinas of the Zuni by Barton Wright.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery