Flat Dolls-Putskatihu

Also called "cradle dolls' because they are given to Hopi infants, Putsqatihut or flat dolls are the very oldest form of katsinas dolls among the Hopi. After a child has gone through his or her naming ceremony 20 days after birth, the first one received is the Hahay'i wuuhti or katsina grandmother. The next is the katsinmana or katsina maiden. After that they may receive any katsina doll. The katsinas themselves carve them for the young girls who continue to receive them (usually more fully formed and detailed ones as they grow older) until they are initiated into the Hopi Katsina Society. 

The first four are by Nick Brokeshoulder. The Hano Mana is 11 inches high and $90. The Angwusanomtaqa or Crow Mother is 11.75 inches high and $90. The He’e’e is 13 inches tall and $70. The Ma’lo is 14.5 inches tall. $110.A Tsa’kwayna by Evan Martin, 9.25 inches high and $75. (ALL IN SANTA FE)

He’e’erepresents the spirit of a young woman whose hair was being done up in the traditional butterfly maiden style when a Ute raiding party attacked her village. The men were in the fields so she snatched up her brother's bow and arrows and helped defend the village until the men arrived.

Each of these are by Larry Melendez, of the Butterfly Clan from the village of Sitsom’ovi on First Mesa. They average by 5.5 inches tall and each is $30. From left to right, top to bottom: Two Qöqölö (yellow for south and black for north), frog, two different feathered Taawa/Sun, and a Hahai Wuuhti. (TUCSON)

The first two dolls in the photos at left are by Ranier Koruh and are in Tucson: a Hoototo, or rain priest of the south, 9 inches and $90; A Saiastasana, or rain priest of the north, 11 inches and $110. A Hilili or Guard katsina by Troy Pavinyama. He is 10.5 inches high and $85. (SANTA FE) A Totsa or Hummingbird katsina by Hongvi Marquez. 9.75 inches high and $110. (SANTA FE)

A Palhikwmana or Butterfly Maiden by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa, she is 7 inches high to the top of her head and $70. The next three in the row are all by Hongvi Marquez: an Ana’kchina or Longhair katsina, 11 inches high to feather tip and $75; a Tsa’kwayna , this one is associated with the spirit of the Moorish people. 8.25 inches high and SOLD; a Heoto katsina, he is regarded as a warrior or hunter katsina. 8.5 inches high and $75. (ALL in SANTA FE)

A Sootukwnangwu or Sky Deity by Leander Tenakhongva, 20.75 inches high to the feather tip and $185. (SANTA FE) A Hahay’iwuuhti by Brendan Kayquoptewa. 11 inches and $80. (TUCSON) A Laguna Corn katsina by Wayland Namingha Jr. 16 1/8 inches high to feather tips and $150. (SANTA FE) A Wakas or Cow katsina by Isidor Abeyta, 13.5 inches high and $185. (SANTA FE)

By Eric Kayquaptewa, a Palhikwmana or Dew Drinking Maiden. 12.75 inches high to feather tip and SOLD. A Sakwa Sohu or Blue Star katsina by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 10.25 and $70. An Owangaroro or Stone Eater katsina by Hongvi Marquez. It is 7.25 inches high and $90. Also by Hongvi is this Omaw or Cloud katsina. 10.5 inches high and $110. (ALL IN SANTA FE)

A Kuwan Kookopölö or Fancy/Colorful Kokopelli by Lean Monongye. 8.25 inches high and $50. A Qööqöqlö by Lean Monongye, 9.75 inches high and $50. A Kyarkatsina or Parrot katsina by Hongvi Maquez, 10 inches high and SOLD. At right is a Sólàawitsi by Ryan Gashweseoma. It is 11.75 inches high to feather tips and $150. (All in SANTA FE)

The Kookopölö on the left was carved by Paul Huma. 8 inches and $45. Next is another Kookopölö, this one by Andrew Coriz. 8 inches and $45. The last is a Kuwan Heheyà by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 10 inches including feather and $65. (TUCSON)