Old Style Hopi Carved Rattle Traditional Racer Katsina Doll

Description

Old Style Hopi Carved Rattle Traditional Racer Katsina Doll by Paul Huma

The Rattle Katsina (Aya) is rarely carved. His name is derived from the mask, which resembles a Hopi rattle given to children at the Powamuya or Niman ceremonies. Aya is a name for the Hopi dance rattles. These Katsinam come to the ceremonies in pairs but race one at a time. Some Aya Katsinam carry yucca whips to swat the loser of each race. The Aya wears a mask with painted sun designs on each side. The center portion of the design represents the earth and the black cross represents the four directions. The earth has lines of red, representing water. The mask is marked by a black design that looks like stitches. The stitches represent the Milky Way Galaxy, or where we are in the universe.