Hopi Katsina Mudhead Santa

John has a unique style of carving and painting his Katsina Dolls.

According to Hopi lore, the Mudhead was the first being to emerge into this world. The Mudhead climbed up the inside of a reed and when he entered this world, covered in mud, he found himself at the base of the Grand Canyon. The hole he emerged from is called the sipapu and every kiva has a small sipapu in the floor to remind the Hopi from whence they came.

As a Katsina Doll Mudheads are the social dancers and have many roles but the main one is that of a clown. They interact with the people and play games and hand out prizes in guessing games. They provide comic relief in an otherwise very serious ceremony.