Old Style Hopi Carved Mudhead Traditional Clown Katsina Doll

Description

Old Style Hopi Carved Mudhead Traditional Clown Katsina Doll

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 older piece came from a private collection and is unsigned.