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.
By Nick Brokeshoulder, a Hano Mana. She is 11 inches high and $90. A Sösöpa or Cricket katsina by Leander Tenakhongva. Just under 17 inches high to tips of grass and $80. A Talavay or Early Morning katsina by Alvin Selina. 9.25 inches high to feather tip and $80. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
A trio of dolls by Hongvi Marquez. Left to right: A Hahai’iwuuhti or Grandmother, 8 inches high and $50; a Koyemsi or Mudhead, 10 inches high and $65; A Kyarkatsina or Parrot, 8.5 inches high and $80. (ALL in SANTA FE)
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 SOLD, two different feathered Taawa/Sun, and a Hahai Wuuhti. (TUCSON)
By Ranier Koruh, a Hoototo, or rain priest of the south. 9 inches high and $90. (TUCSON) In the middle is Pookhonghoya, one of the Warrior Twins. Made by Raynard Lalo, this one is 12 7/8 inches high. $160. (SANTA FE) A Solàawitsi or Sun Speaker also by Raynard, this one is 9.5 inches to feather tips and $90. (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)
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. Next is a Sólàawitsi by Ryan Gashweseoma. It is 11.75 inches high to feather tips and SOLD. A Hakto by Dwight Monongye, 9.5 inches high and $80. (All in SANTA FE)
The Paakwa, or frog, is by Andrew Coriz. 7 inches and $48. Next is a Kookopölö, also by Andrew Coriz. 8 inches and $45. The last is a Kuwan Heheyà by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 10 inches including feather and $65. (TUCSON)
The three dolls in the row above are all by Adam Suetopka. Left to right: The Qööqöqlö is 15.75 inches high to feather tips and $185. The Natukvika or Spilt katsina is 16 inches high to tips of corn husk and $90. The Heheya is just over 16 inches high to feather tip and $120. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A Hahai’iwuuhti or Grandmother katsina by Eric Kayquaptewa. 15 inches high to the top of her head and $160. (SANTA FE)
A Corn Dancer by Leonard Honahnie. This one is 16.5 inches high to feather tip and $175. (SANTA FE)
A Palhikwmana by Raynard Lalo. 21 inches to top of tablita. $300. (TUCSON)
A Hilili or Guard katsina by Brennon Collateta. It is 14 inches high to feather tip and $150. (SANTA FE)
At right: One of the Yungya or cactus katsinas - this one representing the prickly pear cactus. Carved by Evan Dawaventewa Martin of the Roadrunner Clan from the village of Hotvela. 19.5 inches. $220 (TUCSON)
This Qööqöqlö by Ryon Polequaptewa is ~14 inches and is $400. (SANTA FE)
To combat the intrusion of non-Hopi traditions, specifically Santa Claus and Christmas, he was assigned the task of taking presents to Hopi children just before Christmas Day. He is also known as a storyteller.
