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.
Hahay'i Wùuhti is the one first given a Hopi child - not long after birth. Known in English as the Kachina Grandmother, she is indeed the grandmother to all the kachinas. She walks in tiny cautious steps and speaks in a high falsetto voice when she appears during ceremonies like the Powamu or Bean Dance in February. She can also appear during the Niman or Home Dance ceremony in July.
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.
Hahay'i Wùuhti is the one first given a Hopi child - not long after birth. Known in English as the Kachina Grandmother, she is indeed the grandmother to all the kachinas. She walks in tiny cautious steps and speaks in a high falsetto voice when she appears during ceremonies like the Powamu or Bean Dance in February. She can also appear during the Niman or Home Dance ceremony in July.
Approximately 2 inches tall and 1 1/4 inches wide.