Navajo - Hopi Pueblo Sio Salako Kachina Doll By R. Grey

Mid/Late 20th Century

4" H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root and Adorned with Fur, Felt and Feathers

In Very Good Condition

According to Barton Wright, the Sio Salako is a Hopi interpretation of the Shalako Ceremony at Zuni Pueblo and thus receives the name Sio (Zuni). The Hopi also have their own Shalako, called Salako, but the Sio Salako is different from both the Hopi Salako and Zuni Shalako, thus there are three versions.

The Sio Salako was introduced to the Hopis around 1850 and appeared at that time as a group of four katsinas. Since then, the number has been reduced to one katsina, and a Sio Salako Mana has been added. The pair appears very infrequently, but when they do they appear in late spring they seem to be very efficacious in bringing rain.