Hand carved of the root of the cottonwood tree by Kevin Quanimptewa of the Tobacco clan from the village of Hotvela on Third Mesa.
Only the root of the cottonwood tree is used as it grows only where there is an ample and consistent supply of water - rare around the Hopi mesas - and because of the water-seeking nature of the roots, which can grow out and down a couple hundred feet or more in search of the water table.
This particular carving represents Nuvaktsinmana or the Snow Maiden kachina, who represents the spirit of the winter snows that provide life-giving moisture for the seeds when first planted in early Spring. She most often appears in the Niman of Home Dance - an early harvest ceremony that takes place just before the kachinas leave to return to their mountaintop homes. At that time food from the fields is distributed and gifts are given to the small children.
Approximately 2 inches tall and 1 1/4 inches wide.
Hand carved of the root of the cottonwood tree by Kevin Quanimptewa of the Tobacco clan from the village of Hotvela on Third Mesa.
Only the root of the cottonwood tree is used as it grows only where there is an ample and consistent supply of water - rare around the Hopi mesas - and because of the water-seeking nature of the roots, which can grow out and down a couple hundred feet or more in search of the water table.
This particular carving represents Nuvaktsinmana or the Snow Maiden kachina, who represents the spirit of the winter snows that provide life-giving moisture for the seeds when first planted in early Spring. She most often appears in the Niman of Home Dance - an early harvest ceremony that takes place just before the kachinas leave to return to their mountaintop homes. At that time food from the fields is distributed and gifts are given to the small children.
Approximately 2 inches tall and 1 1/4 inches wide.