Native American Hopi Carved Cactus Kachina Doll (Katsina Doll)

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Prickly Pear Fruit-Cactus Katsina Doll by Alexander Youvella Sr.

Prickly Pear Fruit (Yung'a or yunya or Nawukchina). As a Katsina, he appeared just prior to the turn of the 20^th Century and was personated only a few times on First Mesa. He has been perpetuated more through the carving of dolls than in dances. His function on Third Mesa was to ensure the cleaning of the springs, though on First Mesa he seems to have appeared primarily in the Soyohim. He appears with Prickly Pear fruit paddles as a headdress. He is accompanied by Yung'a Mana who usually carries a basket with pads of prickly pear in it. She carries a set of wooden tongs that she uses to handle the cactus pads. She is dressed in a manner similar to the Hano Katsin Mana.