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Katsina doll
Arizona
Angwusnasomtaka Katsina – Crow Mother Katsina doll
Hopi
Années 1900-1920
Carved wood (cottonwood), wool and pigments
Height: 21 cm – 8 ¼ in.
Provenance
Private collection, California
Collection Barry Walsh, USA
Acquired from the above
Sold
Katsina dolls (or Katsinam) represent spirits or gods from the pantheon of the Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest. Given to children, kachina dolls constituted a teaching tool allowing them to familiarize themselves with the spiritual world and perpetuating knowledge of the founding myths on which their society was based.
This Katsina is named Angwusnasomtaka in the Hopi pantheon, which means "Crow Mother" or "The one with Crow Wings." On the First Mesa, she is known as Tumas.
She is considered the mother of all Katsinam. She appears on all three mesas, usually in connection with the initiation of the young Hopis. She is a Chief-Katsina and often leads the procession with a calm and imposing step. As she passes by the kivas, she calls various Katsinam to join the ceremony.
This Katsina is named Angwusnasomtaka in the Hopi pantheon, which means "Crow Mother" or "The one with Crow Wings." On the First Mesa, she is known as Tumas.
She is considered the mother of all Katsinam. She appears on all three mesas, usually in connection with the initiation of the young Hopis. She is a Chief-Katsina and often leads the procession with a calm and imposing step. As she passes by the kivas, she calls various Katsinam to join the ceremony.
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