Old Style Hopi Carved Maasaw Traditional Death Katsina Doll

Description

Old Style Hopi Carved Maasaw Traditional Death Katsina Doll by Quinston Taylor

Maasaw also written as Masauwu or Masau is known as the Hopi Death Katsina. He is responsible for the Earth's surface, fire, and the underworld. Death was an important part of hunting and war, and hunters, warriors and shamen called upon Maasaw for assistance. Hunters sought food, and called upon Maasaw to guide the spirit of the animal into the underworld where it could enter the cycle of rebirth. Warriors sought the death of their enemy or power for a battle. Shamen sought to heal the sick, since Maasaw had power over death.