Original Painting "Crow Mother" By Cliff Bahnimptewa

Original Painting "Crow Mother" By Cliff Bahnimptewa
ca. 1975
Size Image 9.25" H x 6.5" W Frame 16.125" H x 12.125" W
Hand Painting of a Feathered Masked Woman Wearing a Native Shawl in Teel, Green, Brown, Grey, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Cream and Black Colors
Excellent Condition

Cliff Bahnimptewa (also known as Clifford Bahnimptewa, 1937–1984) was a renowned self-taught Hopi artist from the village of Old Oraibi on Third Mesa in Arizona. He was a member of the Parrot Clan and attended the Phoenix Indian School, where he developed his skills in art and carving. Bahnimptewa is best known for his detailed watercolor and tempera paintings of Hopi Katsinam (plural of Katsina, or Kachina), which depict the supernatural beings central to Hopi religion, culture, and ceremonies. These spirits represent elements of nature, ancestors, and moral guides, often appearing in dances and rituals to bring rain, fertility, and balance to the world. His works emphasize the dynamic, dancing performers rather than static dolls, showcasing intricate costumes, masks, and symbolism drawn from his deep knowledge of Hopi traditions passed down through his family, including his grandparents, who were village leaders.
In 1968, encouraged by Sedona trader Don Hoel, Bahnimptewa undertook an ambitious three-year project to paint all 286 Katsinam described in Harold S. Colton's seminal book Hopi Kachina Dolls with a Key to Their Identification (1949). He completed 237 of these, which were reproduced as full-color illustrations in the book Kachinas: A Hopi Artist's Documentary by Barton Wright (first published in 1973 by Northland Press, with later editions). This book serves as a comprehensive guide to Hopi Katsinam, combining Wright's anthropological commentary on their roles, attire, and ceremonies with Bahnimptewa's meticulous artwork. The paintings reflect authentic Hopi perspectives, making the book a key resource for collectors, carvers, and scholars. In 1995, American Indian Art Magazine posthumously honored Bahnimptewa as one of the greatest Native American artists in history.
The painting titled "Crow Mother" (Hopi: Angwusnasomtaqa, meaning "mother crow" or "the one with crow wings attached as hair") is one of Bahnimptewa original works from this series, featured in Kachinas: A Hopi Artist's Documentary. It illustrates the Crow Mother Katsina, a female figure considered a "mother" of the Katsinam and a symbol of ethical guidance and initiation. As a Katsina Mother, she embodies stately dignity, moving slowly and singing quietly during ceremonies, while also taking a more forceful role to emphasize the importance of Katsina culture to the young. She is distinct from but sometimes confused with the Crow Bride (Angwushahay-i), who performs separate functions, such as carrying trays of corn sprouts in legends about her journey as a bride.
In Hopi tradition, the Crow Mother appears across all three Hopi mesas, primarily during children's initiation rites (typically for ages 10–15) into Katsina beliefs, though she also participates in other events like the Powamuya (Bean Dance) ceremony in February. Her role involves distributing yucca whips for symbolic "whippings" (gentle strokes to impart knowledge and virtue) and receiving the same treatment herself to model humility and participation. She carries bundles of yucca blades into the kiva (ceremonial chamber), positions herself near a sand painting, and works with her "sons" (Hú Katsinam, or Whipper Katsinam) to oversee the ritual. Afterward, initiates receive prayer feathers and cornmeal as symbols of their new understanding. The Crow Mother teaches etiquette, morals, and virtues, reinforcing Hopi values of harmony with nature and community.