Hopi Letaiyo - Fox Katsina Doll, circa 1950s [SOLD]

The Fox Katsina may appear in the Soyohim dances, but most often he appears as a runner. He dresses in the minimum of clothing so that he may run more rapidly. The carver has done an excellent job of carving this figure in a kneeling position, which is much more difficult than carving a standing figure. He appears to be a circa 1950s carving.

When the weather warms and the Ankwati or Anktioni Dances draw to a close, katsina dances are held in the plaza of the village.  These dances may be either Mixed Katsina Dances (Soyohim) where all of the dancers are different types of katsinas, or they may be a dance where all of the katsinas are the same—the Regular or Line Dance.

These dances may be sponsored by people who wish to commemorate some special event such as the return of a son from the army, the recovery from an illness, or a child’s birthday.  While there is a strong element of religion present in these dances, there is also an equally strong element of entertainment.  Each of the katsinas presented in one of these dances has a definite purpose, often in addition to their primary purpose of bringing rain and fertility.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Hopi Letaiyo - Fox Katsina Doll, circa 1950s is from the extensive collection of a family from Oklahoma

Recommended Reading: Kachinas a Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright with Original Paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa