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Katsina Doll
Arizona
Salako Mana Katsina – (Giant Bird) Shalako Maiden Katsina doll
Hopi
Circa 1900
Carved wood (cottonwood), pigments
Height: 35 cm – 13 ¾ in.
Provenance
Collection John C. Hill, Scottsdale
Salako Mana Katsina doll 35 cm / Galerie Flak
Price on request
Katsina dolls (or Katsinam) represent spirits or gods from the pantheon of the Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest. Given to children, Katsina dolls constituted a pedagogical tool allowing them to familiarize themselves with the spiritual world and perpetuating knowledge of the founding myths on which their society was based.
« They are the most beautiful things in the world… ». This is how French poet Paul Eluard once described Hopi Katsina dolls to his wife (Letters to Gala, 1924-1948, p. 22).
This Katsina spirit is known among the Hopi as Salako (or Shalako) Mana, the Maiden Giant Bird (mana means « maiden » or « female » in Hopi language).
Shalako is a prayer to bring rain over the parched fields. This Katsina appears during the solstice ceremony (Pamuya) in January and invokes the elements for abundant rains.
Salako Mana shares many characteristics with the Butterfly Maiden Katsina (Pahlik or Poli Mana). They are among the most spectacular Hopi Katsinam with their large and elaborate tabletas (crown-like elements) on top of their heads.
« They are the most beautiful things in the world… ». This is how French poet Paul Eluard once described Hopi Katsina dolls to his wife (Letters to Gala, 1924-1948, p. 22).
This Katsina spirit is known among the Hopi as Salako (or Shalako) Mana, the Maiden Giant Bird (mana means « maiden » or « female » in Hopi language).
Shalako is a prayer to bring rain over the parched fields. This Katsina appears during the solstice ceremony (Pamuya) in January and invokes the elements for abundant rains.
Salako Mana shares many characteristics with the Butterfly Maiden Katsina (Pahlik or Poli Mana). They are among the most spectacular Hopi Katsinam with their large and elaborate tabletas (crown-like elements) on top of their heads.
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