Hopi Wakas Koyemsi Impersonating a Cow Katsina [SOLD]

This personage has been known by several names—Mudhead, Koyemsi, Clown, Tachukti, and has been referred to as a Katsina.  Barton Wright states that it is not considered a Katsina at Hopi and that Mudhead and Koyemsi are both nicknames and that Tachukti is the correct name but that he is not a clown in the sense we normally consider a clown.  It will, however, always be called a Mudhead as that name has existed for a hundred years already and is not likely to go away. 

At Hopi, he is considered to be a curer, magician, dance director, warrior, messenger, sage or even a fool.  He also may appear in the guise of any katsina by donning the clothing of that katsina.  They appear as interlocutors between katsinas and humans.

In this carving, the doll represents a Wakas Koyemsi, that is, he is a Koyemsi in the garb of a Wakas or Cow Katsina.  As a Koyemsi, he would wear only a black kilt, made from a woman’s manta.  In this carving, he is fully dressed as a Cow Katsina would be dressed.  The stick on which he leans represents the fore legs of the cow.  The body paint is that of a cow.

Condition: very good condition

Reference: Clowns of the Hopi: Tradition Keepers and Delight Makers by Barton Wright, 2004.

Provenance: From the estate of a gentleman from Texas who purchased it in 1964, passed through the family.