North America | Arizona
Katsina doll
Arizona
Sio Hemis Katsina – New Corn Kachina Doll
Hopi
Circa 1920 – 1930
Cottonwood, pigments
Height: 13 cm
Provenance
Private collection, USA
Galerie Flak prior to 2003
Collection Bodrero, Paris, acquired above in 2003
By family descent until 2026
Publication
« Esprit Kachina », Barton Wright, Editions L’Enfance de l’Art, Paris, 2003
Sio Hemis Katsina doll 13 cm / Galerie Flak
Price: on request
Katsina dolls (orKatsinam) represent spirits or gods from the pantheon of the Pueblo peoples in the American Southwest. Given to children, kachina 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.
This doll represents the New Corn Katsina or Hemis Katsina.
In the Hopi pantheon, this Katsina spirit is particularly important. It represents ripening corn. It is a prayer for moisture and rain which will help corn shoots grow in the season. It is one of the most beautiful Katsinam. Its many symbols are associated with the desire for rain.
The Hemis Katsina is most often used for the Niman or Home-Going Ceremony when the kachinas leave the Mesas for six months. It is one of the most appropriate Katsinam for this farewell, as it is the first Katsina to bring mature corn to the people, indicating that the corn crop is assured.
This doll represents the New Corn Katsina or Hemis Katsina.
In the Hopi pantheon, this Katsina spirit is particularly important. It represents ripening corn. It is a prayer for moisture and rain which will help corn shoots grow in the season. It is one of the most beautiful Katsinam. Its many symbols are associated with the desire for rain.
The Hemis Katsina is most often used for the Niman or Home-Going Ceremony when the kachinas leave the Mesas for six months. It is one of the most appropriate Katsinam for this farewell, as it is the first Katsina to bring mature corn to the people, indicating that the corn crop is assured.
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