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Kachina Doll (Kalaisa Mana or Qooqoklom)

Arts of the Americas

CULTURE Hopi Pueblo
MEDIUM Wood, pigment
DATES late 19th century
DIMENSIONS 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 11/16 in. (19 x 14 x 6.8 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 04.297.5565
CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This Kachina doll is probably Qotsamanavitu, Snow Maiden. The doll characteristically has no arms and is carved with a cylindrical body. The head has two spools (similar to the historical hair style worn by unmarried Hopi women.) This Kachina accompanies the Hemis Kachina during the Niman ceremony-performed at the mid-summer and ends the Kachina cycle. The Hemis sing in low voices while the Snow Maidens sing in high voices. In the second part of the dance they kneel and play their gourd/rasp violins. Their songs are prayers for rain and a full harvest.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Hopi Pueblo. Kachina Doll (Kalaisa Mana or Qooqoklom), late 19th century. Wood, pigment, 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 11/16 in. (19 x 14 x 6.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund, 04.297.5565. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.04.297.5565_front.jpg)
IMAGE front, CUR.04.297.5565_front.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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