Zuni Pueblo Koyemshi - Mudhead Katsina Doll [SOLD]

A Zuni emergence myth tells us that the Zuni began a migration as soon as they entered this world.  They first elected leaders for this migration—the son and daughter of the village chief—who went ahead of the others.  During the trip, the brother became enamored with his sister and copulated with her.  The result of this incestuous relationship was the birth of ten children that night.  Nine of the ten were misshapen, impotent, and witless, and they became known as the Koyemshi—also known as the Mudhead.  The ten Zuni Mudheads resemble each other but actually are different in their masks and gear.

Although the Koyemshi are childlike, or witless in their behavior, they are regarded as the “sages of the ancients, oracles who speak with the voices of idiots mixing wisdom and nonsense in every utterance. They are considered the fathers of the Zuni people and no other group is more sacrosanct or dangerous than the Koyemshi.  To deny them anything, even in one’s heart or mind, is to court disaster.”  They are major participants in the Zuni Shalako ceremony [click here to see an example] and are the first to appear for the event, arriving eight days before the ceremony. Wright, 1985  

This Mudhead Katsina doll is an excellent example of the finest carving from Zuni.  He stands on his feet and leans slightly forward as if in motion.  His arms are arranged as if he is walking.  In typical Katsina doll fashion, he is dressed in fabric clothing of the style worn by women with one shoulder covered and one exposed.  A black shawl is wrapped around his shoulders and a printed fabric wrapped around his waist.  The right arm articulates and the left one is set in place. The carving appears to be circa 1950s.

Reference and Recommended Reading: Kachinas of the Zuni by Barton Wright with Original Paintings by Duane Dishta, 1985.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Santa Fe