Antique Native American Hopi Carved Soyal Katsina Doll by Peter Shelton Jr.
The Soyal Katsina carries the symbol of the Soyal Ceremony: four long switches with feathers dangling. Soyal is a celebration of Winter Solstice. The Soyal Katsina arrives in December and signals the beginning of a new Katsina Season. He is responsible for opening the Kivas for the Katsinam to return to. He is also called The Return Katsina. This particular katsina was carved by Hopi Carver Peter Shelton Jr., in the early 1970s. Click on numbered boxes below image for additional views.
