A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo). <em>Kachina Doll (Hetsululu)</em>, late 19th century. Wood, fabric, paint, yarn, cornhusk, paper, hide, shells, 18 × 5 × 5 in. (45.7 × 12.7 × 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1907, Museum Collection Fund, 07.467.8422. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 07.467.8422_acetate_bw.jpg)

Kachina Doll (Hetsululu)

Artist:A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo)

Medium: Wood, fabric, paint, yarn, cornhusk, paper, hide, shells

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:late 19th century

Dimensions: 18 × 5 × 5 in. (45.7 × 12.7 × 12.7 cm)

Collections:

Accession Number: 07.467.8422

Image: 07.467.8422_acetate_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
This kachina possibly represents Hetsululu. This Kachina spirit was so poor he did not have any jewelry, clothes, or moccasins so Hemokatsiki, the grandmother of all Kachinas, rolled some clay into a nice shape and put it on top of his mask. He was then painted in stripes of all the colors used by the Kachinas so he would represent the world. Sometimes he appears barefooted but this doll has been dressed in an additional manner with the high boots. Hetsululu was sent to the village to play a game with the villagers with clay balls. He is considered friendly and now may appear with the mixed dances carrying a bucket of clay balls. Everyone believes that his clay increases rapidly so when he throws clay balls from his bucket they catch them and put them with their corn or bread so that they may also increase.

Brooklyn Museum