Old Style Hopi Carved Rattle (Aya) Traditional Racer Katsina Doll by Augustine Mowa III
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, and there is a small white dot in the center of the earth which represents moisture. 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. Click on numbered boxes below image for additional views.
