Native American Made Kokopelli Dancer Katsina Doll

Description

Native American Kokopelli Dancer Katsina Doll by Sammie Walker (Navajo-Hopi)

The Humpback Flute Player (Kokopelli) is an engaging image that originated in the ancient Paleo-American culture and was brought into the present by the Pueblo Indians. This classic figure of a bent over being playing a flute has been associated with shamanism and supernatural qualities. He is a magical being who, by playing his flute, calls the clouds to make rain. Today, the Hopi play flutes over the springs to attract rain. Kokopelli is also a symbol for fertility because he carries seeds and mist in his hump. He is mischievous when it comes to seducing young maidens! The Navajo counterpart to Kokopelli is the Humpback God who wears mountain sheep horns. It is interesting to note that the hump, an abnormality or deformity, is considered special, even magical and transformative like fantastic creatures such as unicorns, griffins, etc. Shamen are often deformed or have narrowly escaped physical death. This is a wonderful piece that is created in a style that is unusual today. Very few of the artists make the Native American dolls this way. The action is wonderful and the carving, painting and details are very accurate.