Hopi Miniature Kwikwilyaka - Mocking Katsina Doll [SOLD]

Kwikwilyaka is the Mocking Katsina.  As a clown he has little personality of his own but fastens like a leech onto any activity that catches his eye.  With mirror-like accuracy he will reflect every action of the unfortunate whom he decides to mimic.  He drives the other katsinas such as Hó-e to strong measures to rid themselves of this unwanted echo.

Should a person in the audience become the focus of this undesired attention, he must wait until something else diverts the katsina.  The wait is very difficult without inadvertently making some movement, and the rapidity of the mocking usually produces gales of laughter from the rest of the audience.  During the Bean Dance procession, he is a foil for the Hó-e and an annoyance to others.

Kwikwilyaka appears in ragtag costume with a bundle of cedar bark for hair on his head.  Many times, the Hó-e will rid themselves of this personage by pretending to set their hair afire.  When Kwikwilyaka mimics this action, he actually sets his own hair afire.

This miniature carving of Kwikwilyaka is extraordinary well done.  The katsina’s stance, slightly bent forward, his body proportions, and hands in his pockets, all combine to relate the mischievousness of this personage.  He just looks like he is aching to find someone to mimic.

Condition: excellent original condition

Provenance: from the personal collection of a daughter from the famous Balcomb family of Indian traders.

Recommended Reading:  Wright, Barton. Kachinas: a Hopi Artist’s Documentary with Original paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa.