A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo). <em>Kachina Doll (Ma-hey-ten-na-sha)</em>, late 19th century. Wood, cloth, hide, yarn, string, feather, 5 13/16 x 3 7/16 x 12 3/8 in. (14.8 x 8.7 x 31.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1907, Museum Collection Fund, 07.467.8430. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 07.467.8430_acetate_bw.jpg)

Kachina Doll (Ma-hey-ten-na-sha)

Artist:A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo)

Medium: Wood, cloth, hide, yarn, string, feather

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:late 19th century

Dimensions: 5 13/16 x 3 7/16 x 12 3/8 in. (14.8 x 8.7 x 31.4 cm)

Collections:

Accession Number: 07.467.8430

Image: 07.467.8430_acetate_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
This Kachina is also spelled Mahedinasha.(taking away feces). He may come during the winter dance series or during the Koanne (the day when the Kachinas go home-six days after the Shalako). The dancers appear early in the morning and go through the village. When they come into the plaza they dance as a group accompanied by a drummer. They can sing nasty songs about the inhabitants of Kothluwala, (the spirit village where the dead Kachinas live) but really they are about the present day Zuni village. See Barton Wright, "Kachinas of the Zuni" for an explanation of how he became so ugly in appearance.

Brooklyn Museum