Doll "kachina" ·  North America, Hopi · ID: 3041950

Description

wood (from the root of the cottonwood tree), dyed with white clay, painted with signs and symbols in bright orange, yellow and indigo blue (“rainbow mouth”), headcrest in shape of three “cloud towers”, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, base;
represents “shalako mana”, female type “corn maiden”. The “shalako” are the God’s messengers and run back and forth all year long carrying messages, as well as bringing moisture and rain when needed.

Comparing literature

Hartmann, Horst, Kachina-Figuren der Hopi-Indianer, Berlin 1978, ill. 71