$250.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
ca. 1982
11.5" H
Hand Carved from Cottonwood Root
Excellent Condition
Leonard Pete is a Hopi artisan from Arizona known for carving traditional Katsina (or Kachina) dolls, which are sacred representations of spirit beings in Hopi culture. These dolls, typically made from cottonwood root, serve both ceremonial and educational purposes—teaching Hopi children about the Katsinam (spirits) that influence rain, fertility, and community harmony. Pete's work often features detailed paintings, feathers, and traditional attire, blending authenticity with artistic expression. While he has created various Katsina figures (e.g., a Wolf Headdress doll), his Piggyback Koyemsi dolls highlight the playful yet profound role of the Mudhead Katsina.
The Koyemsi, or Mudhead Kachina, is a clown who may be seen in most Hopi ceremonies. Mudhead Kachinas drum, dance, play games with the audience, and may act as announcers for events. They often give prizes or rewards for the races and guessing games they organize. The term "mudhead" comes from their masks which have mud applied to them.
Most of the time they accompany other kachina; probably the only time when they do not appear with other personages is during the Night Dances. Koyemsi are usually the ones that play games with the audience to the accompaniment of rollicking tunes. These games are generally guessing games or simple attempts to balance objects of performances of some common act and the rewards are prizes of food or clothing.
They may appear as a chorus, and on First Mesa and possibly other villages their songs are in Zuni. During the rests in a dance, they may engage in games with the boys and girls in the audience. At other times, only a single Mudhead may appear as a drummer for a group. Should a dancer not have the proper mask or be late in arriving, he can easily become a Mudhead by donning that mask. These kachinas appear in almost every Hopi dance.
