Old Style Hopi Carved Ahola Chief Traditional Katsina Doll

Description

Old Style Hopi Carved Ahola Chief Traditional Katsina Doll by Thomas Fredericks

The Ahola is a Hopi Chief Katsina of very high order. He is considered an elder and a very wise chief. The Ahola appears at the Bean Dance (Powamuya) ceremony to open the Katsina ceremonial season. The Ahola brings prayers for a long and healthy life. He and Ahola Mana go from house to house making their appearance. On the outside walls of each home, the Ahola draws four horizontal marks with corn meal. The women inside the house come out and sprinkle the Ahola with cornmeal and at the same time take some corn seeds from the Ahola Mana's basket. The two leave and go to the kiva entrance and face one another. He holds his staff out for support and strength and bends his right knee and continues kneeling and standing in rhythmic motion. He calls out to the kiva chief and the two discuss the arrival of the Katsinam for the year. A really sweet larger carving by Thomas, whose particular style of carving is quite appealing. He has his own individual style with form as well as color.