Native American Hopi Carved Imitator Clown Katsina Doll

Description

Native American Hopi Carved Navajo Imitator Traditional Clown Katsina Doll by Ted Pavatea

Imitators (Tasavu) are caricatures of Navajos. They are one of the Piptuka, a group of men who band together to perform a skit to entertain the audience between dances. They are basically a sub-group of the Clowns, have no sacred role, and are solely for entertainment. Their regalia is varied and the actions are almost vaudevillian. This wonderful carving by Ted shows this little guy dancing away using his rattle and prayer feathers. He is even wearing a raccoon tail.