Vintage Papago Doll; Women Carrying Burden Basket, "Kiaha"

Antique Papago Doll; Women Carrying Basket "Kiaha"
Mid 20th Century
Size: Doll 10.75" H x 12.5" H with base

With articulated arms; right hand may be missing a stick.

The Papago are known as the "Desert People." They live primarily on the Tohono O'odham Reservation, the San Xavier Reservation, and the Gila Bend Reservation.

The Kiaha, or burden basket, is a type of basket made by the Akimel O'odham (formerly known as the Pima) and the Tohono O'odham (formerly known as the Papago) people of Arizona. It is a large, pyramidal carrying basket used for transporting goods such as food, fuel, and materials.

Construction

Frame: The Kiaha has a wood frame with supporting agave fibers. The frame is often made with saguaro ribs and willow hoops.
Netting: Sotol or agave fibers are netted together to form the body of the basket.
Back Support: A woven mat or a pad of cloth is attached to the frame to protect the carrier's back.
Tumpline: A woven tumpline, made from softened Yucca baccata fiber, is used to carry the basket across the forehead.