Hopi Kachina Poli Mana Doll

Late 20th century

12.75" H

Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root Holding Green Leaves

Excellent Condition

The Poli Mana (also spelled Polik Mana or known as Butterfly Maiden) is a revered figure in Hopi culture, representing a female spirit associated with butterflies, pollination, fertility, and the arrival of spring rains.  Unlike many kachinas (katsinam), which are typically impersonated by masked male dancers, the Poli Mana is often portrayed by women in non-ceremonial dances, emphasizing her role as a maiden or young woman connected to nature's renewal. She is part of the broader Hopi kachina tradition, where these spirits are believed to influence weather, agriculture, and community harmony, acting as intermediaries between the human world and the supernatural.