Jimmie Koots – Koyaala Gesticulating

In my opinion, James Kootshongsie, (aka) Jimmie Koots (1916-1996) was the greatest comic carver in Hopi history. Case in point is this silly gesticulating Koyaala or Koshare. The katsina is 6 1/2″ tall and 3″ wide. The professional wooden base adds 3/8″. He is gesticulating energetically and I sure wish I knew the circumstances for his antics.  In addition to his comic genius, I have written about Jimmie’s important role as a Hopi traditionalist in my book on “The Great Tradition of Hopi Carvers” (Rio Nuevo, 2019).