Vintage NAVAJO / HOPI ^^WHITE BUFFALO^^ Katsina / Kachina Doll Signed by Artist

Description

Vintage NAVAJO / HOPI ^^WHITE BUFFALO^^ Katsina / Kachina Doll
Native American Indian, Southwest, Navajo, circa 1980’s.  A hand-carved and hand-painted wooden Katsina/Kachina of traditional Cottonwood with many
embellishments (Leather, feathers, shells, bells, tacks, yarn, fur, deer hide, etc.).  EXTRAORDINARY QUALITY (technical excellence & distinctive design)
by artist signed.   Approximately 16” Tall by 8” wide.
The most prominent trait of the detailed Buffalo Kachina Doll is its large, protruding horns that symbolize the animal in its divined form.  The Buffalo Kachina is
a warrior doll, one of the most powerful in fact.  Seen often with weapons, spears, and yucca whips, the Buffalo Kachina are one of protection and great strength.  Though representative of the strength and ferocity of a buffalo, the docile nature of the animal is where the true power derives.  Though equipped for
physical battle, the placement of a Buffalo Kachina in one’s presence serves the purpose to drive away the evil thoughts and intentions of an enemy or one
who seeks great guidance.  The creation of the Buffalo Kachina shows that the mind is what truly drives one to their actions, and though strength is admired,
it is only the destruction of internal evil that can lead to harmony.  The Buffalo Kachina is poised to fight, but their presence among someone is placed to bring
those with evil thoughts to peacefulness and on the path of good beliefs.  Consider gifting one to yourself or another who seeks harmony in their life.
Kachina figures are meant as gifts for children representing kachina dancers and the supernatural Katsinam beings they embody.
Plaza Dances may be either Mixed Katsina Dances (Soyohim) in which dancers representing all the different types of Katsinas attend, or a dance that includes only Katsinas of the same type.  Regardless, in addition to bringing about rain and fertility, all of the Katsinas have a distinct purpose.  Dances may be performed to commemorate a special event such as recovery from an illness, the welcomed return of a son from the army, or a birthday.  Nevertheless, these dances
maintain a religion quality for the Puebloan Indians .
The Katsinam, supernatural beings who live in the high mountains of the San Francisco Peaks above traditional Hopi territory, speak to the Hopi through
costumed dance and song.  These dancers emerge from the round ceremonial kivas that are at the center of their communities, singly or in groups, and dance
to the music of drums, rattles, and song.  In imitation and representation of them are Katsina figures (katsina dolls, katsin-tihu), made of cottonwood root.
Cottonwood is culturally symbolic because the cottonwood tree, once abundant in traditional Hopi lands, grows where water flows - thus, looking across a
landscape, lines of cottonwood trees denote a water source in the desert.  After carving, the figures are painted all over with whitewash, made from kaolin
clay, and then painted in brilliant colors.  Originally these were done using yucca brushes.  Many of them are then decorated with other materials, like feathers,
cloth, or fur.  Katsina dolls are often given objects to hold which indicate their roles.
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