Hopi Crow Mother Katsina Doll by Vern Mahkee

This image of Crow Mother by Vern Mahkee features her entering the kiva through its roof top opening. She carries a bundle of Yucca leaves which are wrapped together. We will discuss the planned use of the yucca later. For the present, we wish to describe the incredible carving of Crow Mother. It is basically a one-piece carving with minor add-ons as necessary.

The face of Crow Mother is embellished with beautifully carved feather wings. On the sides of her face are twisted black and red yarn representations. A fan of feathers rests on her head and a ruff surrounds her neck. Her cape reveals folds as would occur naturally when worn. The black and green embroidery, with yellow flowers, decorates the top and bottom edges on the cape. Corn tassels hang from the lower corners of the cape. She wears a traditional black manta cinched with a white woven sash. Under the cape is visible a yellow collar shirt, and she has bracelets on both wrists.

There is some confusion among many collectors of the identity of Crow Mother as she is represented with two names — Angwushahai-i and Angwusnasomtake — in the katsina book by Barton Wright, pages 23 and 66. Images of both show her carrying a bundle of yucca. In some instances, Angwushahai-i is referred to as Crow Bride and she carries out a different function. As for Angwusnasomtake, she appears on all three mesas and is described as the one who appears in the initiation of the children.

"At the initiation rites she descends into the kiva bearing a large number of yucca blades bound together at the base. She takes a position at one corner of the large sand painting on the floor of the kiva, with one of her ‘sons' on either side of her. As the candidate is brought to the sand painting, she hands a whip to one of the Hu Kachinas who gives the child four healthy strokes with the yucca blade. When the yucca becomes worn it is handed back to the Crow Mother who then supplies a new one. When the initiatory whipping is over, she raises her skirts and receives the same treatment accorded the children. They are then given prayer feathers and (corn) meal and leave the kiva." [Wright: 1973:66]

What is a Katsina? 

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Hopi Crow Mother Katsina Doll by Vern Mahkee is from the estate of a client of Adobe Gallery

Reference: KACHINAS A Hopi Artist's Documentary by Barton Wright

TAGS: Katsina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Hopi Kachina Dolls, Vern Mahkee