Pair of Hopi Wood Dance Wands [SOLD]

Dance wands of the style of this pair are used by Hopi women when dancing for rain, and are held vertically by the white handles, one in each hand.  They are decorated in accordance with the desires of the maker. When being used on the reservation, the top of the wand is covered with downy eagle feathers and sprays of seed grass.  Puffs of eagle down are tied with the strings seen on the sides of the wands.

This pair is decorated with images that may be of Muyingwa, the Germination God or Two-Horned God.  Muyingwa is not a Katsina, but is a deity.  There is a distinction among the Hopi between katsinas and deities.  Most deities are never impersonated or even represented by images.  Some, however, are represented such as the Germination God deity.  This image is not like ones published of Muyingwa so perhaps it is a different deity than indicated.

Muyingwa is the god of reproduction of man, animals and plants.  He possesses great knowledge and duties related to agriculture.  He ritually insures that plants will sprout for life sustenance.  His home is in the underworld.

Condition:  The pair of wands is in very good condition, with no observable problems.  A metal stand has been fashioned for each so that they display in the upright position.

Provenance: from a collector in New York who purchased them years ago from a reputable dealer so we have no questions regarding the authenticity.

Reference Publications:

Following the Sun and Moon by Alph Secakuku

Hopi Kachina Dolls with a Key to their Identification by Harold Colton