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.
By Lorren Talashoma, a pair known as Tuhavi and Koyemsi*, 20.5 inches high and $750. The Qotsa Hon or White Bear was made by Brendan Kayquaptewa. It is 8.25 inches high and $325. A Hootsani made by Alano Sakeva. 12.75 inches high to feather tip and $300. (ALL in SANTA FE)
*This pair comes from 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 successful.
By Tayron Polequaptewa, a breath-taking Sikya’aho’te or Yellow Star katsina. This one is 12.75 inches high and his feathers span 7.25 inches wide. $1600. (SANTA FE)
The first two dolls in the row above were carved by Sean Macias. A Soongwuqa or Milky Way katsina, 20.5 inches high and $600. A Söhönasomtaqa, 16.5 inches high and $600. A Tsa’kwayna* by Dal’Suhu (Star) Not-Afraid. 11.5 inches high and $500. (ALL in SANTA FE)
*He is thought by some to represent the Moor Esteban, who led the Spanish to Zuni as he is a katsina who first appeared at Zuni. He is a warrior or hunter katsina, as indicated by the huzrunkwa or warrior/hunter pahos (paired prayer feathers) attached to the top of the head.
Darance Chemerica made this Hehey’a. 11 inches and $300. A Hilili by Randy Howato. This one is 10 inches and $300. (BOTH in TUCSON)
A Sipikne or Zuni Warrior made by Ethan Waters. This one is 14.5 inches high and $600. A Hilili by Jordan Kaye, 10.5 inches high and $320. At right is a Sakwa Honan or Blue Badger katsina by Brian Holmes. This one is 12 inches high to feather tip and $280. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
At left is a Huru’ing Wuuhti or Cold Bringin Woman by Dal’Suhu (Star) Not-Afraid. She is 9.25 inches high and $300. Next is a Mongwa or Owl also by Dal’Suhu. This one is 8 inches high and $290. At right is a Tewaquaptewa style doll by Tayron Polequaptewa. 11.5 inches high and $350. (ALL in SANTA FE)
The Kookopölö, 7 7/8 inches high and $250 was carved by the late Willard Maktima (1929-2025), grandfather of renowned jeweler, Duane Maktima. At right is a Soyok’wuuhti or Ogre Woman by Tayron Polequaptewa. It is 8.5 inches high to the top of her head and is $300. (Both in SANTA FE)
An Omaw by Ryan Gashweseoma 12.25 inches tall and $425. Next is a Kyarkatsina or Parrot katsina by Horace Kayquaptewa. 9 inches high and $275. An Angwusanomtaqa or Crow Mother by Brian Holmes. 10 5/8 inches high and $280. (ALL in Santa Fe)
A beautiful Omaw or Cloud katsina by LaDamian Polingyumptewa. 14 inches high and $400. The next two in the row above were both made by Markus Barton. The Yehoho or Sweet Corn katsina is 10.25 inches high to feather tips and $300. The Kipok Koyemsi or Mudhead Warrior is just over 7 inches high and $250. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A Pöökhonghoya by Ed Seechoma. 12 inches and $450. A Totsa or Hummingbird katsina 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 Ngayayataqa or Swaying Man katsina by Shawn Deel. 10 inches high and $425. Next is an Àhooli, one of the Mong or Chief katsinas by Tayron Polequaptewa. This one is 12 inches high to feather tip and $375.A Patsoktsina or Cockleburr katsina by Hongvi Marquez. 6.75 inches high and $240. (ALL IN SANTA FE)
A Palhikwmana or Butterfly Maiden by Jared Quamahongnewa. She is 16.75 inches high to feather tip and $450. Next is an Anak’china by Quentin Sakeva. 12.75 inches high and $300. A distressed style Soyal katsina by Tayron Polequaptewa. 11.25 inches high and $300. (ALL in SANTA FE)
A Tsa’kwayna** by Randy Brokeshoulder, 10 inches high and $320. A Pusukinangaktsina or Red Beard Longhair by Tayron Polequaptewa. This one is 11 7/8 inches high and $450. A Sivu’ikwiwtaqa or Pot Carrier Boy, he is known by a couple of other names as well. This one was made by Sam Masayumptewa, 9.75 inches high and $300. (ALL in SANTA FE)
**He is thought by some to represent the Moor Esteban, who led the Spanish to Zuni as he is a katsina who first appeared at Zuni.
A Kwewu or Wolf katsina by Markus Barton. 11 inches high and $300. A Wakas or Cow katsina by Shawn Deel. The horns are antler, 7.25 inches high and $450. A Navan or Velvet Shirt katsina by Hongvi Marquez. 8 inches high and $240. (ALL in Santa Fe)
A Nata’aska was made by Ladamian Polequaptewa. This one is 14 1/8 inches high and $600. At right is a Hilili by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. This one is 9 inches high and $225. At right is a Patzro* or Shrike by Vance Pooyouma, 11 inches high to feather tips and $300. (ALL in SANTA FE)
**The Patzro was painted using pigments that our Hopi employee brought back from Peru this summer.
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 Navookatsina or Cactus Flower katsina by William Gashweseoma. 8.75 inches high and $200. A Tewaquaptewa style doll by Ryon Polequaptewa. This one is 12 3/8 inches high and $750. At right is a Manang.ykatsina or Lizard katsina by Qöyangnuvtu Mowa. 9 5/8 inches high and $225. (ALL in SANTA FE)
