Native American Hopi Carved Eototo Chief Katsina Doll

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Eototo Chief Katsina Doll by Henry Naha

Eototo (or Ewtoto) is the spiritual counterpart of the village chief and as such is called "father" of all the Katsinam. He appears at Powamuya and Niman dances. Eototo knows all of the ceremonial rituals and assumes leadership of them. He controls the seasons and is sometimes called the husband of Hahai-i Wuhti. During the Powamuya (Bean Dance) on Third Mesa, he conducts an elaborate ceremony with his lieutenant, Aholi. He draws cloud symbols in corn flower on the ground pointing into the village. Aholi places his ceremonial staff on these and roars out his call. Then they both proceed toward the village. This is designed to draw the clouds and moisture into the pueblo. Eototo makes an offering of sacred meal followed by water to each of the four cardinal directions. Water and the fruitfulness of the earth are thus what his appearance at Powamuya promises to the Hopi.