Hopi Kachina figure
Other Pueblo peoples and later Navajo sculptors carve figures similar to katsina tihu as artworks.
Each year, throughout the period from winter solstice to mid-July, these spirits, in the form of katsinas, come down to the villages to dance and sing, to bring rain for the upcoming harvest, and to give gifts to the children.
[2] The katsinam are known to be the spirits of deities, natural elements or animals, or the deceased ancestors of the Hopi.
[4] Following the ceremony, the figures are hung on the walls of the pueblo and are meant to be studied in order to learn the characteristics of that certain Katsina.
Only one piece of cottonwood root was used to carve the body, although facial features made from varying sources were occasionally glued on.
[11] The elders restricted the tourists from seeing the religious katsina ceremonies, and consequently there was a notable decline in figures carving for commercial purposes.
[12] In the beginning of the 20th century, oppressive agents such as Charles Burton tried to restrict the Hopis' religious and cultural rights.
[13] However, in 1934, due to the Indian Reorganization Act, the Hopi people got back their religious freedom, and this thus renewed their interest in katsina figures carving.
The arms were starting to become separated from the body and the heads became slightly overturned, putting the dolls in more of an action pose.
[19] As a result, the feathers of the dolls would be carved into the wood, which led to a new brand of Hopi art: the katsina sculpture.
In addition to these traditional forms, a modern variation is now being created: the miniature katsina figure.
[26] On the figure's head, there will be either bird wings, ears (typically large and red), cornhusk flowers, hair, feathers, or horns.
[31] Figures are portrayed with accessories including hand rattles made from gourds, bows and arrows, branches of Douglas fir, staffs, scissors, crooks with children, and colored corn.
[32] Sometimes, to hide the space between the body and the mask, ruffs made of fox skin, juniper branches, Douglas fir, or cloth will be worn.
As a result of the spectator acceptance of the humor and variety of entertaining antics, clown carvings have been a favorite figure for sale to tourists and collectors.
Carvers have found a strong market and challenge to create dolls showing the many whimsical clown actions.
The sacred functions of the clowns are relatively private, if not held secret by the Hopi, and as a result, have received less public exposure.
