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Hé-é-e Katsina carving

Medium Specific
Cottonwood
Classification
Sculpture: Wood
Dimensions
4 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 1 in. (11.4 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm)
Accession Number
2018.35.28.310
Credit
Gift of Carol and Don Tallman
Memo / Artist Statement
Hé-é-e or He'wuhti may be seen in Powamu celebrations most years, but it is at the Pachavu ceremonies that He-e-e is seen in her most impressive appearance. This kachina is the Warrior Maid, based on the story of a young girl. Many years ago, tradition says that some Hopis were living outside of the main village, and the mother of this household was putting up her daughter's hair. The mother had finished only one side of the hair whorls, the hair on the other side still hanging loosely, when they saw enemies sneaking toward the village. The daughter snatched up a bow, quiver and arrows from the wall and raced toward the village to warn the people. She then led the defense until the men in the fields could return and rout the enemy. She has been personated ever since as a katsina and always appears with her hair partially up on one side and hanging down on the other.
(Wright 1973: 57)
Inscription
Hero Women (pen)