Native American Hopi Carved Bear Powerful Healer and Mudhead Kachina Dolls (Katsina Dolls)

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Bear Powerful Healer and Mudhead Katsina Dolls by Milton Jordan

The Bear (Hon) Katsina appears in the Mixed Dance. This great and powerful healer possesses spiritual strength used to protect and cure the sick. The Bear Katsina is considered to be the number two healer for the people. His knowledge of herbs and roots gives him the power to heal the sick. The Bear symbolizes power, strength, courage, wisdom and healing.

The Mudhead (Koyemsi) leads the racers into the village and challenges villagers in contests to prove their strength. During the rests in a dance, Mudheads may engage in games with the boys and girls in the audience. At other times, only a single Mudhead may appear as a drummer for a group. Should a dancer not have the proper mask or be late in arriving, he can easily become a Mudhead by donning that mask. These Katsinam appear in almost every Hopi dance.

This piece by Milton shows the Mudhead clinging to the Bear much like a scared child would hang onto a parent. A really nice piece that we got from a private collection. There are not many pieces of Milton's around. I really like the rough and almost Impressionistic style in which he worked.