Kokosori Katsina Doll from Hopi Pueblo [SOLD]

This excellent carving of the Hopi Pueblo Kokosori Katsina doll portrays him as he is preparing to go on a rabbit hunt.  He has a bow in his right hand and an arrow in the quiver on his back. Kokosori can be represented in many functions and the specific function being portrayed can be identified by the items in his hands.

This carving of Kokosori has a bandolier across his chest, wears a loincloth, has a quiver with an arrow on his back and a black yarn ruff around his neck.  He wears a simulated ketoh on his left wrist and carries a bow in his right hand. He has the look of innocence and wonderment. It is a charming doll.  

“This small kachina, for he is always portrayed by a boy, is one of the oldest recorded kachinas for the Hopis, as Dr. Ten Broeck saw him in 1852 at First Mesa.  He appears in other pueblos but is probably best known in Zuni where his name is Shulawitsi. It is this tie with Zuni that brings his appearance on First Mesa with other Zuni kachinas in the Pamuiti Ceremony described by Fewkes (1903:27).”  The Zuni Shulawitsi is almost an exact duplicate of the Hopi Kokosori, but they are not related to each other.

“He (Kokosori) has on occasion appeared as a Barter Kachina also on First Mesa.  On Second Mesa he bears the name of Kokoshoya and comes with the Chief Kachinas in their appearance after the story-telling of the Sikyaqőqőqolom (the Yellow Qőqőle) at Powamu.  On Third Mesa the small figure of Kokosori is said to accompany Aholi and Eototo.” (Wright, 1973:20)

Condition: this Kokosori Katsina Doll from Hopi Pueblo is in very good condition now after repairs to both arms

Provenance: from an estate in Taos, New Mexico

References: 

- Fewkes, J. Walter. Hopi Katcinas, Washington, D.C.; Bureau of American Ethnology, 21st Annual Report, 1903.

- Wright, Barton. Kachinas a Hopi Artist’s Documentary, Northland Publishing, 1973

Relative Links: Hopi katsina doll, Hopi Pueblo, Kachina Doll