Kapicha Katsina, Billy Goat Kachina Doll by Henry Naha

This carving of the Billy Goat Katsina was made by Henry Naha of the Hopi village Moenkopi. The basic doll appears to be a one-piece carving, with addition of the pedestal, horns, yarn ties, and staff. The body is covered with an excellent depiction of the goat's hair. Around his neck hangs a bell, on his wrists are a ketoh and yarn. He rests his hands on a staff.

This is one of the animal katsinas who appears during the fast parades and, in the summer, may accompany the clowns. He is rarely carved as a katsina doll and rarely appears in plaza dances.

He is a comic and a clown katsina. Reference should be made to the large testicles that appear beneath his loin cloth. He is one of the copulation Katsinas and is interested in copulating with everything in sight. His testicles are full of fruit and other goodies, and towards the end of the dance, the aunt of the man impersonating the Billy Goat Katsina will cut off his testicles and give the fruit and other goodies to the spectators. He is, on occasion, referred to as a Piptuka Katsina, which means "coming to the clowns" katsina.

This really is a beautiful carving that is in excellent condition. It dates to 1994. It is signed H Naha alongside a lizard image.

Condition: this Kapicha Katsina, Billy Goat Kachina Doll by Henry Naha is in very good condition

Provenance: Purchased from Adobe Gallery in 1995 by a client from whose estate we have it available again.

Recommended Reading:

- Clowns of the Hopi: Tradition Keepers and Delight Makers by Barton Wright

- Kachinas: a Hopi artist’s documentary by Barton Wright

TAGS: Kachina – Katsina Doll, Hopi Pueblo