Kachina Doll (Hetsululu) Item Number: 07.467.8422 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
This Kachina possibly represents Hetsululu. This Kachina was so poor he did not have any jewelry, clothes, or moccasins so Hemokatsiki-the grandmother of all Kachinas - rolled some clay into a nice shape and put it on top of his mask. He was then painted in stripes of all the colors used by the Kachinas so he would represent the world. Sometimes he appears barefooted but this doll has been dressed in an additional manner with the high boots. Hetsululu was sent to the village to play a game with the villagers with clay balls. He is considered friendly and now may appear with the mixed dances carrying a bucket of clay balls. Everyone believes that his clay increases rapidly so when he throws clay balls from his bucket they catch them and put them with their corn or bread so that they may also increase.
Credit Line
Museum Expedition 1907, Museum Collection Fund
Item History
- Made between 1868 and 1899
What
Who
- Culture
- She-we-na
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1868 and 1899
Other
- Classification
- Sculpture