Native American Hopi Carved Horse Katsina Doll

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Horse Katsina Doll by Alexander Youvella Sr.

The Horse (Kawai-i) Katsina is fairly new. Its name is derived from the Spanish word for horse, caballo. The Hopi preferred the burro as a beast of burden, so they did not adopt the horse until quite late. The Horse Katsina is usually seen in Mixed Dances. He is said to represent the spirit of the horse and is identified by the black figure of a horse painted on each cheek of his white mask. His songs are for rain and green pastures for animals.