Hopi Pueblo Ma’alo Katsina Doll circa 1950s

This wood carving of the Hopi Pueblo Ma'alo Katsina dates to the 1950s and is in good condition for its age. It was carved from cottonwood root and painted with casein paints. The helmet mask is appropriate for the scale of the body. The face is orange on one side and turquoise on the other, with black and white lines as a divider. The body was beautifully carved with good dimensions. The arms are away from the torso and in a moving position. He carries a rattle in his right hand. The kilt ends just below the knees in the fashion of older dolls. The feathers on his head are in good condition for a doll of this age.

Ma'alo Katsina was one of the most popular of the katsinam in dances around 1900. He was often in the Niman dances along with Hemis, Angak'china, and Kuwan Heheya. He usually appeared with Takursh Mana as his sister, dancing in a separate line alongside him. For some reason, he is not often seen in dances today. This is not unusual in that katsinas appear and disappear from time to time.

This katsina normally appeared as a Niman Katsina on First Mesa and danced at other ceremonies on Second and Third Mesas. He is one of the older traditional Hopi katsinas from the early period of katsina development. He performs a dance that portrays a prayer for rain and good crop yield.

What is a Kachina?

Condition: good condition

Provenance: this Hopi Pueblo Ma'alo Katsina Doll circa 1950s is from the collection of a gentleman from California

Reference: Kachinas: a Hopi artist’s documentary by Barton Wright

TAGS: Kachina – Katsina Doll, Hopi Pueblo