Antique Native American Hopi Carved Snow Dancer Katsina Doll by Earl Yowytewa
Snow Katsina (Nuvak chin) lives on top of San Francisco Peaks and brings the cold and snows to the Hopi. Nuvak chin appears in many winter ceremonies, the Soyal, Powamu, Palolokongti and the Mixed Dances of early spring. Since he is associated with water, there is an alliance between him and the Water Serpent. You can sometimes see him dancing at a spring that belongs to the Water Serpent. The Snow Katsina is seen distributing presents on the morning of the Bean Dance. This particular katsina was caved in the early 1970s by Hopi carver Earl Yowytewa. It is a large katsina complete with white feathers (snow) atop his headdress, the back of his headdress is all feathers. His neck has a green wool (spruce) ruff, his chest has a red felt bandolier. His rain sash is made of leather and he has yarn wraps on his wrist and knee. He carries a turtle shell dance rattle (carved from wood) tied behind his right knee. This is a wonderful example of katsinam from this era. This variety appears on Third Mesa. Click on numbered boxes below image for additional views.
