HOPI KACHINA FIGURE

Joseph Jacinto Mora (1876-1947), Monterey, acquired when living near Oraibi between 1904-1906

Jo N. Mora Jr, Monterey, by descent from the above

George Terasaki, New York, acquired from the above in March, 1972

Alexandra Pascassio and George Terasaki, Kachina: George Terasaki

Collection, Paris, 2008, n.p., cat. no. 27

Barton Wright writes that "Tsitoto is an ancient kachina who appears on all three mesas in many ceremonies. He may appear in the Palolokong Ceremony and the Mixed Kachina Dances as well as in the Powamu and Pachavu Ceremonies. [...] The many bands of color and the multicolored feathers present a rainbow-like appearance, and he looks like a walking prayer for summer. However, at least one of his functions seems to be purification. [...] In this role he carries a small bunch of yucca blades and strikes each individual that he meets a rather firm blow whether he be a child or an adult, Hopi or White. The kachina appears like this most often in the Bean Dance." (Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary, Phoenix, 2014, p. 30).