Katsina : Corn Maiden : Lowell Talashoma

Corn Maiden Katsina by award winner artist Lowell Talashoma.

Object : Katsina (Katchina) 

Title : Corn Maiden (Kachin Mana)

Carver : Lowell Talashoma

Origin : Hopi

Size : 13"

Materials : Wood and paint

Of all the women who appear with other Kachinas, the Kachina Maiden, or Kachin' Mana, is the most prevalent. She often appears in regular Kachina dances with household ware, accompanied by Long Haired Kachina. Her presence is a prayer for corn. She also honors Mother Earth and her continuing ability to feed her children.

 
Lowell Talashoma Sr

Central to Hopi religion, Katsinas are supernatural beings believed to live on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona. Hopi men embody the Katsina spirits during ceremonies that take place between Winter Solstice and mid-July. The Hopis believe these spirits enable them to live in harmony with nature, ensuring rain, crops, fertility, and good hunting. The Hopi men embody the spirits of these Katsinas by wearing masks and dancing in the plazas of the villages. The dolls, which are carved replicas of the dancers, are given to the children so that they may learn about their people's traditions. The art of carving Katsina dolls has evolved from the old-style block-like figures into today's highly detailed, all-wood dolls with realistic form and action.

Over time, Katsina Dolls became more and more sophisticated and included bases for the dolls to stand on and showing the Katsina in “action”- such as dancing or hunting. All Katsina Dolls are carved out of the root of the Cottonwood tree. The Cottonwood tree’s vigorous roots travel far and deep in search of water. There is spiritual importance in this fact, as the Hopis are dry farmers in an arid part of Arizona and the search for water is of critical importance to their culture.

Fully insured shipping, or see it in person at the gallery in Sonoita by appointment. Call 520-455-5020.

New to Navajo weaving? The gallery's journal explains the regional styles, Churro wool, and how to care for and hang a rug. Read the articles or watch the videos.