Hopi Pueblo Corn Kachina Style, Qa’ökatsina Katsina Doll circa 1930s [SOLD]

It has been intriguing investigating this Hopi Pueblo katsina doll.  It was sent to us with the owner’s description as a Swaying Corn Katsina but none of the reference books have such a designation for a Corn katsina, so the inquiries to friends began.

One response I received from a katsina doll collector stated “it seems to be a Rugan Katsina. Ears, eyes, tube mouth, face painting are all indicative for Rugan, at least one of them, since there are so many ‘types’, but body paint being all white is something new for me. Feathers seem to be restored and not original type and layout to this katsina, as they were supposed to be 4 turkey feathers laying down on the top of the head. The safe bet is to say that it is Hisat Katsina, as Hisat means old, ancient katsina not being present anymore during the dances and ceremonies."

Another response, this one from a Hopi from Hotevilla, stated that the face was unknown to him, but the doll was dressed as a Corn Boy (Qa’ötiyo), one of the very many Corn katsinam.  Since not all corn dancers are Rugan (rasping), it would just be safer to call him a Qa’ökatsina.

Another Hotevilla Hopi stated “in Hopi history, it was forbidden to make exact replicas of the real Katsiman.” This is an indication that it could be a katsina that was modified in doll form to be similar but not exact to an existing katsina.

In conclusion, it seems that the consensus is that it is a representation of a Corn Katsina, not necessarily a Rugan variety.  Also, it is agreed that the feathers have been replaced and are not accurate for this doll.  This is a good doll, probably from the 1930s, but no later than the early 1940s.  It would be an improvement to remove the feathers should the owner wish to do so.  This would be a unique katsina doll for one’s collection as there is probably not another exactly like it.

What is a Katsina?

Condition: very good condition with expected amount of paint abrasions

Provenance: this Hopi Pueblo Corn Kachina Style, Qa'ökatsina Katsina Doll circa 1930s is from the collection of a gentleman from Georgia

Recommended Reading: Hopi Kachina Dolls with a Key to their Identification by Harold S. Colton

Relative Links: Katsina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Hopi Kachina Dolls