Katsinas are spirit beings who are the intermediaries between the Hopi and their deities, carrying the prayers of the Hopis for the continuation of the cycle of life of all living things. They may represent the spirit of plants, animals, forces of natures, places or even other tribes. Some are known for their duties (eg: guard, clown...) and not all names are translatable. They appear in the plazas for Hopi villages for approximately 6 months of the year as they dwell in the katsina or spirit world for the other half of the year.
They are carved from the root of the cottonwood tree - used because the cottonwood grows only where there is an ample and consistent supply of water - rare around the Hopi mesas - and because of the water-seeking nature of the roots, which can grow out and down a couple hundred feet or more in search of the water table. If you are interested in learning more, visit our website
www.hopikatsina.com
Between our Santa Fe and Tucson stores we have somewhere between 400 and 500 katsinas so on our website we can only hope to show you a cross-section. Please contact us if you are looking for something specific that you do not see. We may have it or be able to acquire it for you
For each katsina we sell, we provide an information sheet similar to the ones above. (the Hemis katsina above has been sold)
A book on the Hopi by a Hopi. Currently out of print but you can find copies online. Secakuku provides greater context for the katsinas with insight from the Hopi point of view.
A great book. It profiles nearly 2 dozen Hopi katsina carvers - past and present. $16.95 Paperback.
These two dolls were carved by the late Willard Maktima (1929-2025), grandfather of renowned jeweler, Duane Maktima. Top row, left to right: a Kookopölö, 7 7/8 inches high and $250. A Tasaf katsina, 12.75 inches high and $300.
An Omaw by Ryan Gashweseoma 12.25 inches tall and $425. Next is a Morivosi or Bean katsina by Hongvi Marquez, 10.5 inches high to feather tip and $350. At right is a Maahu or Cicada katsina by Larry Melendez, 10 inches high to feather tips and SOLD. (ALL in Santa Fe)
An Angwusanomtaqa or Crow Mother by Tayron Polequaptewa. Distressed to give it a vintage feel, it is 10.5 inches high and $300. At right is a Siyangephoya* or Left-Handed Hunter by Augustine Mowa III. He is 8 inches high and $300. (BOTH in SANTA FE)
*The Left-Handed katsina is one of the Mahk or Hunter katsinas. He is said by some Hopi to represent hunters from the Chemehuevi tribe, who live in the desert along the lower Colorado River.
A Pöökhonghoya by Ed Seechoma. 12 inches and $450. Totsa is the hummingbird katsina. This one by Brandon Kayquoptewa is 11 inches and $275. A Sio Navan or Zuni Velvet Shirt katsina by Randy Brokeshoulder. 17 inches to the tip of the feather and $350. (ALL in TUCSON)
A Navajo Clown by Darance “Makwesa” Chimerica. 10 5/8 inches high to feather tips and $325. Next is a Paakwamana or Frog Maiden by Loren Talashoma. 8.75 inches high and $350. Third in the row is a pair of piggyback mudheads made by Nick Brokeshoulder. 14 inches high and $375. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
An Anak’china or Longhair katsina by Sandra Suhu. This one is 11.25 inches high and SOLD. By Hongvi Marquez is this Sakwa Honan or Blue Badger katsina. 12.75 inches high and $375. A Palhikwmana or Butterfly Maiden by Jared Quamahongnewa. She is 16.75 inches high to feather tip and $450. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A beautifully detailed traditional style doll by Ethan Waters, 11.5 inches tall (including base.) He is depicted here as he would appear in one of the summer dances - with gifts for both boys and girls. $800. See an additional photo in the Highly Detailed Katsina gallery. The Paakwa or Frog was carved by logan Honanie. 10.5 inches tall and $375. A Manang.ykatsina or Lizard katsina by Manfred Susunkewa. It is 14 inches high to feather tips and is $650. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A Koyemsi or Mudhead acting as a Hapota (keeper of the beat) by Nick Brokeshoulder. This one is 17 inches high and $520. By Brendan Kayquoptewa is this Kocha Hon or White Bear. 12 inches high and $325. At right is a Tewaquaptewa style doll by one of the great grandsons of Wilson Tewaquaptewa, Tayron Polequaptewa. This one is 12 5/8 inches high and $300. (ALL in Santa Fe)
By Lenno Polingyumptewa, the two figures at left are considered Mong or Chief katsinas. The Ahoolì and Ewtoto are being sold as a pair for $1,100. The Ahoolì is 14 5/8 inches high to feather tips while the Ewtoto is 11 inches high to the top of the head. The Nata’aska by Ryon Polequaptewa at right is 16.5 inches high and $850. (ALL in SANTA FE)
By Larsen Harris Jr., a Sooya’ytaqa or Planting Stick Boy is just over 15 inches high to feather tip and $500. Next is a Qööqöqlö by Tayron Polequaptewa, 8 5/8 inches high and $250. Last in the row, by Nick Brokeshoulder is a *Koyemsi with Tuuhavi. 13.25 inches high and $400. (ALL in SANTA FE)
*This Koyemsi (Mudhead) and Tuhavi (Paralyzed) katsina relates to a Hopi story about two people left behind when their village was hurriedly abandoned. They realized that, by cooperating, the one who could not see would become the legs for the one who could not walk as the one who could not walk became the eyes for one who could not see, and thus successfully make their way to the new pueblo.
A Laguna hunter by Eric Holmes. 9 inches (not including feathers) $160. The Mudhead is by Kevin Quanimptewa. 7 inches and $200. An Aya or Rattle katsina by Ethan Bryce. 9 inches high to feather tips and $300. (ALL in TUCSON).
A Paakwa or Frog by Gabriel Lara. 9.25 inches high and $225. (SANTA FE) A Hensona by Ryon Polequaptewa. 9.5 inches and SOLD. (SANTA FE) The Nangoysohut or Chasing Star katsina is by Nick Brokeshoulder. 19.5 inches high and $400. (SANTA FE)
This particular carving represents the Nangöysohut or Chasing Star katsina, one of several Sohu or Star katsinas that have to do with celestial bodies and events. They often have a trailing feather headdress that is said by some to represent the trail of the shooting star.
