Hopi Pueblo Payutsi Katsina Doll [SOLD]

When this katsina doll arrived at the gallery, I was unsure of its identity as I had never seen one before. A friend who is very familiar with Hopi katsinas identified it for me as Payutsi Katsina. Payutsi is a Hopi katsina honoring the Apache people. He appears in the summer dances and is a favorite among the Hopi because of its lively songs and dances.

The carving is tall and slender as one would expect to see when representing an Apache. He is clothed only in a vest and loin cloth, and is wearing traditional Apache moccasins with the curled-up toe section as protection against walking among cactus. His face is painted black with white features. His head dress is pointed and very colorful.

As an interesting aside, the friend who identified this katsina for me sent me the following email:

"I went to a Father's Day dance at Hotevilla this weekend. It featured Barefoot Longhairs. The clowns were especially raunchy, I think in honor of the holiday. But they always get their comeuppance at the end when the warriors (Kipok Katsinam) come to do them in. There were at least 5 Payutsikatsinam among the 87 Kipok Katsinam. It was a real plaza full as they doused the clowns with water, stripped them of most of their clothing and made them confess. It was a real sight." It was interesting to hear that there were 5 of the Payutsi Katsinas dancing just recently.

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What is a Kachina?

Condition: good condition with some paint abrasions.

Provenance: this Hopi Pueblo Payutsi Katsina Doll is from the collection of a client from California

Reference: Marek Plasota Hopi Kachinas eKatalog

TAGS: Katsina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Hopi Kachina Dolls