Important Angak’china (Longhair) Katsina, c. 1920
Hopi Culture, Arizona
cottonwood root, natural pigment, horsehair
custom made wood and plexiglass display box
11" high x 5" wide x 3" deep
*Mint condition, provenance provided
The Angak’china (Longhair) Katsina is one of the most important Katsinam, and is revered for bringing gentle, life giving rain to the arid Southwest.
Angak’chinas arrive in the villages in groups, often accompanied by Yellow or White Corn Maidens. They sing beautiful melodies for all, carrying optimistic themes and messages encouraging living life to its fullest. A true beacon of positivity.
In addition to raising spirits by way of song, Angak’chinas perform a dance that usually brings a pleasant rainfall to nourish the earth and help crops to grow.
Their appearance is largely symbolic of their role in society. Their long, flowing hair and beards, for example are representative of the rain they inspire to fall. Eagle fluffs are worn to symbolize cloud bursts as the source of that rain. Their backs are often adorned with feathers to represent prayers for rain.
