Hopi White Ogre Kachina, Wiharu Katsina Doll by Kerry David

This Wiharu Katsina doll represents the White Ogre Katsina. It was carved by Hopi artist Kerry David and completed in 1987. It is an all-wood carving of the fearful ogre. To reinforce his character as an ogre, he carries a hand saw and a bow and quiver full of arrows. His huge mouth is meant to let children know he could eat them if they were not being good children and learning Hopi ways.

The doll is beautifully carved with feathers upright behind his head, a group of feathers attached to the back of his head, and a quiver of arrows strung over his shoulder and hanging on his back. He wears animal skin draped over his shoulders. Attached to each calf is a turtle shell.

On his front we see a fox skin draped over his shoulders and a loin cloth around his waist. His legs are painted to reveal cotton leggings. He is wearing traditional pueblo moccasins. The 4-¾-inch tall wood pedestal on which he stands is painted with a pueblo village scene, a sun face symbol, and a stylized cloud and rain. The underside is signed with the carver's name.

"The fearsome Nataska always come as a pair. They accompany the Soyoko on their collection trip and usually stand directly behind the member of their crew who is bargaining with the relatives of the children. They make horrible noises, dragging their saws along the side of the house or on the ground. All the while, they keep up a steady stamping that makes the turtle-shell rattles on their legs sound ominously. They are supposed to be able to eat a child whole; from the very earliest age, the child has heard stories of these monsters—how they would descend on children playing near the village and haul them away to cook and eat. So, it is no wonder that the children are petrified at their actual appearance." [Wright, 1973:80]

What is a Katsina?

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Hopi White Ogre Kachina, Wiharu Katsina Doll by Kerry David was purchased from the aritst and sold to a client in 1987 from whom we now have it back to sell again.

Reference: KACHINAS A Hopi Artist's Documentary by Barton Wright

TAGS: Katsina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Hopi Kachina Dolls