Indigenous America Collection
Hopi Katsina dolls
Glencairn’s Indigenous America collection includes artifacts from tribes in Mesoamerica, the Northwest, the Southwest, the Plains, the Eastern Woodlands, and the Inuit areas.
Katsina dolls hold profound significance in the cultural tapestry of the Hopi people. Katsina ceremonies play a role in the summoning of rain, which is essential for Hopi traditional dry farming methods. The ceremonies also serve as a way to transmit knowledge about katsina spirits and ceremonial objects to Hopi children through the distribution of dolls and toys during dances. The evolution of katsina doll styles (Old Style, Full Figure, and Contemporary) reflect the dynamic nature of Hopi religion and artistic expression.