Old Style Hopi Carved Hillili Traditional Guard Kachina Doll (Katsina Doll)

Description

Old Style Hopi Carved Corn Husk Hillili Traditional Guard Katsina Doll by Leonard Honahnie

The Hillili Katsina is believed to have made its way from Acoma or Laguna Pueblo. By the time he reached the Hopi on First Mesa prior to the turn of the century, his name had changed from Heleleka to Hillili. His name is attributed to the shrill call that he makes. He functions as a guard or Whipper Katsina and is greatly admired for his rapid dance movements. This particular Hillili appears at harvest time. He wears cornhusks around his neck in a ruff.