Hopi Pueblo Koshari or Hano Clown Katsina Doll [SOLD]

This carving of a Koshari is exceptional in workmanship and characterization of the Hopi-Tewa clown personage.  His face is sad as he recounts the bad things that the people engage in.  He wears a medicine pouch hanging from his neck.  His hat, in real life, is fabric with two long protrusions that are tipped with corn husks.

The Koshari is probably one of the best known of Hopi clowns, however, he is not Hopi by origin but is from the New Mexico Tewa Pueblos. The Koshari most likely arrived at Hopi with the pueblo immigrants following the Pueblo Revolt, and they were given a village atop First Mesa which is known as Hano Village.  They live there today, still speak the Tewa language but have also adopted the Hopi language.  The Koshari has been adopted by Hopi so exclusively that he is now seen at all the Hopi villages and has a Hopi name.  The New Mexico Tewas call this clown Koosa, not Koshari. The avowed purpose of these clowns is to amuse, but their humor is concerned with what is not an accepted way of life for the Hopi.  During a plaza event, the clowns pantomime things that are not acceptable behavior. Gluttony, for instance, is one of the things they pantomime and, in doing so, point out to the Hopi that gluttony is wrong.  The pantomime is usually so humorous that the audience goes into hysterical laughter.  

The doll appears to be from the mid-twentieth century.  It is not signed with the name of the carver.

Condition: good condition

Provenance: this Hopi Pueblo Koshari or Hano Clown Katsina Doll is from the extensive collection of a client from California.

Recommended Reading:  Clowns of the Hopi: Tradition Keepers and Delight Makers by Barton Wright