Native American Hopi Carved Zuni Sipikne Guard Kachina Doll (Katsina Doll)

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Zuni Sipikne Guard Katsina Doll by Clayton Kaniatobe

Sipikne is a Zuni Katsina who is often danced by the Hopi. His Zuni name is Salimopaiyakya. His dance is very demanding and therefore only young men do this personation. He appears in Night Dances, Bean or Mixed Dances. His mask is quite varied, but the bird on his head is a constant. He dances very rapidly and in complete silence. He functions as a guard when he appears with the Priests. The evergreen ruffs around his ankles were carved to be loose and actually move, much like the real ones do when they dance.