Adobe Gallery Blog
Hopi Pueblo Little River Grandfather - Tunei-nili Katsina Doll - C3535.47
Category: Kachina - Katsina | Posted by | Mon, Jul 18th 2016, 2:38pm
This very animated carving of Tunei-nili imparts a feeling to the viewer of a dancer in motion. The carver did an exceptional job on this Navajo-derived Katsina, who was inspired by the Navajo Rain Gods, the Tone-nili, who appear on the sixth day of the Navajo Yeibichai Ceremony, and was incorporated into the Hopi pantheon of Gods.
Tunei-nili has the responsibility of looking after the Navajo or Tasap Katsinas and is usually a side dancer for them. The name Tunei-nili Bitzai means "little wash" or "little river grandfather." He sometimes appears with the Velvet Shirt Katsina.
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