Native American Hopi Carved Corn Maiden Katsina Sculpture by Isidor Abeita Jr.
Of all the women who appear with other Katsinam, the Katsina Maiden, or Katsinmana, is the most prevalent. If she is carrying blue corn, she is known as the Blue Corn Maiden, similarly yellow corn, etc. She appears at Soyal ceremony and marks the beginning of the Katsina season by marking the openings to the kivas with cornmeal. She often appears in regular Katsina dances with household goods, accompanied by the Long Haired Katsina. The Long Hair(Angak'china) is originally from Zuni Pueblo. Long Hair appears at most Hopi Mesas. He wears his hair loose on his back to represent falling rain. He is one of the most popular of all Katsinam.
These Katsinam appear in a group and sing a very powerful melodious song which may be one of the reasons that they are such favorites. They often appear at the Home Dance (Niman). Their purpose is to bring rain, and it is said that they seldom dance without the appearance of a soft gentle rain to help the crops grow. The Red-bearded Angak'china or (Hokyan Angak'china) is so named because of the peculiar step he uses in dancing. The Grandmother Katsina (Hahay-i wu-uti) or Happy Mother shares with Crow Mother the title of Mother of all the Katsinam. She appears during the Bean Dance (Powamuya), the Serpent Ceremony and at Niman. She speaks in a high voice and is very talkative. Flat carvings of the Grandmother Katsina are given to Hopi infants. As a young girl matures, she receives larger, more detailed forms of the Grandmother Katsina. Placing this Katsina in your home, particularly on an altar, shows respect for the many gifts we receive each day from Mother Earth. This gentle maiden reminds us always to be thankful.
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