Adobe Gallery Blog

There is very little published information on Hopi puppets and the artists who create them.  It has been stated that Jimmy Koots and Henry Seeni are the carvers who made them in the mid-20th century.  Whether they were made for Hopi ceremonial or entertainment use or made solely for sale to tourists is not documented. 

This one represents a Tewa Clown or Koshare.  Although referred to as Katsina dolls, Koshare are technically not Katsinas.  They are probably one of the best-known figures and the most frequently carved clowns at Hopi. Ironically, he is not of Hopi origin, but is of Tewa origin, and arrived with the Tewa immigrants from the New Mexico Rio Grande pueblos in the early 18th century.

Would you like to know more?