Katsina : White Ogre : Ernest Chapella

White Ogre Katsina by award winner artist Ernest Chapella. Object : Katsina (Katchina)  Title : White Ogre (Nata'aska) Carver : Ernest Chapella. Origin : Hopi Size : 15" Materials : Wood, paint, string, yarn, fur, hide, fabric and feathers The fearsome Nataska always come as a pair.  They accompany the Soyoko on their collection trip and usually stand directly behind the member of their crew who is bargaining with the relatives of the children. They make horrible noises, dragging their saws along the side of the house or on the ground.  All the while, they keep up a steady stamping that makes the turtle-shell rattles on their legs and sound ominously.  They are supposed to be able to eat a child whole; from the very earliest age, the child has heard stories of these monsters - how they would descend on children playing near the village and haul them away to cook and eat.  So it is no wonder that the children are petrified at their actual appearance!  Usually only dark-colored clothes a