Native American Hopi Carved Snake Dancer Kachina Dolls (Katsina Dolls)

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Snake Dancer Katsina Dolls by Joe Duwyenie

Snake Dancer Katsinam (Chusona) appear at late summer dances. Chusona is said to dance with a snake in his mouth. Because his appearance at the dance attracted many non-natives and reactions to him were often inappropriate, the dance is closed to non-natives. Chusona is mistakenly taken for a Katsina. He is not, being rather a society personage, and one of great popularity. The Snake Dance has always had an intense fascination for the non-Hopi, and in consequence effigies of this personage have been carved for many years. We do not get many of this type of carving from the Hopi, and are excited that Joe would carve this pair for us.