Kachina by Arthur Holmes, Jr. - "Qootsav" Katsina – Spirit of Purity

Long ago, during a time when the people were struggling to maintain harmony with the earth and with each other, the village elders called for guidance. The rains had stopped, and the crops withered. It was said that the spirits were withholding their blessings—not out of anger, but because the people had forgotten the importance of inner and outer purity.

From the sacred springs beneath the mesas, where the water runs pure and untouched, emerged Qootsav Katsina. Cloaked in white ash and adorned with turquoise and white feathers, he carried with him a gourd of spring water and an eagle feather fan—symbols of cleansing and renewal.

Qootsav spoke gently but firmly. He reminded the people that the Earth Mother responds to hearts that are clean and intentions that are honest. He urged them to purify their homes, their thoughts, and their ceremonies. With every step he took through the village, he sprinkled sacred ash, not just to bless the land, but to awaken a sense of reverence in the hearts of the people.

As part of the ceremony, Qootsav taught a sacred dance—measured, slow, and graceful—symbolizing the washing away of negativity and the restoration of balance. He led the dancers to the edge of the fields, where the people sang ancient songs of gratitude and humility.

In the days that followed, clouds began to gather. The rains returned. Crops sprouted anew. It was not magic, but the result of a communal return to harmony, sparked by the lessons of Qootsav.

From that time forward, Qootsav Katsina became a rare but revered presence in ceremonies, especially those focusing on renewal, healing, or rites of passage. His message is timeless: that purity—in thought, in deed, and in spirit—is the foundation for all blessings.

Arthur Holmes Jr., a Hopi carver, creates his renowned contemporary kachinas behind his Tuba City home in a shed. Holmes is known for his patience and precision, often taking years to complete a single piece. Kachina figures represent Hopi kachina dancers, symbolizing Katsinam, the supernatural beings that embody living things, ancestors, and natural phenomena. 

Dimensions: 13.5"H x 5"W