Kachina Doll (Kalaisa Mana or Qooqoklom) Item Number: 04.297.5565 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
This Kachina doll is probably Qotsamanavitu, Snow Maiden. The doll characteristically has no arms and is carved with a cylindrical body. The head has two spools (similar to the historical hair style worn by unmarried Hopi women.) This Kachina accompanies the Hemis Kachina during the Niman ceremony-performed at the mid-summer and ends the Kachina cycle. The Hemis sing in low voices while the Snow Maidens sing in high voices. In the second part of the dance they kneel and play their gourd/rasp violins. Their songs are prayers for rain and a full harvest.
Credit Line
Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund
Item History
- Made between 1868 and 1899
What
Who
- Culture
- Hopi Pueblo
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1868 and 1899
Other
- Classification
- Sculpture