Jimmie Koots – Rare Heheya-on-Strings

James Kootshongsie, aka Jimmie Koots, (1916-1996) was one of the great katsina carvers in history. He often did comic figures and this is one such example. Jimmie made katsinam-on-strings with some frequency, but this is the first Hehey’a by Jimmie that I’ve seen. Fully extended this Hehey’a is 6″ tall. The original strings are in fine condition. If the strings are pulled the katsina jumps about, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so with an item that is 50-60 years old. 

In addition to being a renowned katsina artist, he was also a noted Hopi traditionalist. He published the Hopi newsletter, Techqua Ikachi (Land and Life) from 1975-1990. He also met with representatives from the United Nations on four occasions advocating for preservation of Hopi land and resources. See my chapter on him in “The Great Tradition of Hopi Katsina Carvers, 1880 – Present.” (Rio Nuevo, 2019).