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Kachina Doll (Tsaveyo)

Arts of the Americas

This kachina doll represents Chaveyo, one of the most fearsome beings for the Hopi. His identifying characteristics include nakedness, dots on the legs and/or feet, crosses on the cheeks, and a cape thrown over the shoulders. Chaveyo belongs to the group normally referred to as Ogre Kachinas, characterized by bulging eyes and a protruding snout exhibiting a fierce aspect. While dancing, Chaveyo uses his ferocity to scare children, women, and even men into behaving. He appears anytime during the spring, but especially during the Powamuya (Bean Dance) and the Palolo Kongi (Water Serpent Dance), when Chaveyo is badgered by clowns until he whacks them away.


Esta muñeca kachina representa a Chaveyo, uno de los seres más temidos por los Hopi. Sus características incluyen desnudez, puntos en las piernas y/o pies, cruces en las mejillas, y una capa sobre los hombros. Chaveyo pertenece al grupo comúnmente referido como los Kachinas Ogro, caracterizado por ojos protuberantes y un morro prominente de fiero aspecto. Mientras danza, Chaveyo utiliza su ferocidad para asustar a los niños, mujeres, e incluso hombres logrando así buena conducta. Puede aparecer en cualquier momento durante la primavera, pero especialmente durante el Powamuya (Danza del Frijol) y el Palolo Kongi (Danza de la Serpiente de Agua), cuando Chaveyo es acosado por payasos hasta que los hace huir a golpes.

CULTURE Hopi Pueblo
MEDIUM Wood, pigment fur, cotton, horsehair, feather, shell, horn, stone
DATES late 19th century
DIMENSIONS 13 × 7 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. (33 × 19.1 × 16.5 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 05.588.7193
CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1905, Museum Collection Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION "Kachina Doll (Tsaveyo)" as per Leigh Wayne Lomayestewa and N. Rosoff.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Hopi Pueblo. Kachina Doll (Tsaveyo), late 19th century. Wood, pigment fur, cotton, horsehair, feather, shell, horn, stone, 13 × 7 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. (33 × 19.1 × 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1905, Museum Collection Fund, 05.588.7193. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.588.7193_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE threequarter, 05.588.7193_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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