Hilili Kohanna – Circa 1900 – Exceptional Large Zuni Katsina

This is an exceptional Zuni Hilili Kohanna katsina. I feel able to identify it precisely because there is a painting of this exact figure on page 111 of Barton Wright’s book, “Kachinas of the Zuni” (1985, paintings by Zuni native Duane Dishta). The third photo in this posting shows this painting. The katsina has a fascinating head with snakes painted front and back and sun and moon designs attached to the head. The arms are articulated with yucca whips attached to each. Barton notes that after the Winter Solstice ceremonies each kiva may give one more dance. The Hililis are frequently chosen as they are popular. Barton describes their “performance as a very birdlike.”

This large figure is 13″ tall and 8″ wide. He is wearing a leather cape and a cloth kilt. The painting by Dishta on page 111 shows the same leather cape and blue toned cloth kilt. Note the snake figures on the forehead which are fully elongated on the back of the head.