Old Style Hopi Carved Rattle Traditional Racer Katsina Doll

Description

Old Style Hopi Carved Rattle Traditional Racer Katsina Doll by Manuel Chavarria Jr.

The Rattle Katsina (Aya) is rarely carved. His name is derived from his 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 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 white Rattle mask with painted sun designs on each side. The turquoise portion of the design represents the earth and the primitive swastika, or whirling logs, represent the four directions. The earth is surrounded by a cog wheel in red, representing water and a small white dot in the center of the design which represents moisture. The mask is marked by a black design that looks like stitches. These stitches represent the Milky Way Galaxy, or where we are in the universe.