Jimmie Koots – Rare Wakaskatsina or Cow

Over the years I have had a few Sheep katsinam by Jimmie Koots but never a Wakaskatsina or Cow. This adorable little figure is 6″ tall with the professional base adding 4/10ths of an inch. The katsina is 3 3/4″ wide. Cotton has been applied to the head to represent fur. 

James Kootshongsie, aka Jimmie Koots, (1916-1996) was one of the great katsina carvers in history. He often did comic figures and this is a subtle example. 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).