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Part IV: The Animals
Crows and Ravens The feathers of crows and their larger kin, ravens, are generally associated with witchcraft (as owl feathers often are). The Zuni do not use either feather type on prayer sticks because crows and ravens eat carrion, but they do use them on certain kokko masks and ruffs that encircle the bottom of most masks. At Zuni, the name for crow is kalashi and for raven is kotollo-ah. For religious purposes, however, the two birds share a single name, Kokkoqu’inna. In this context their feathers are interchangeable, and both also have an association with dark rain clouds. In keeping with the birds’ unpredictable nature, however, they can either bring clouds or drive them away. Crow is said to warn of attack. The Navajo also view Crow as a messenger and a gossip, but Navajo legend generally characterizes him as allied with the malicious Turkey Vulture and Owl. Similarly, Cochiti traditions associate crows with witches and as omens of drought. At Hopi, there is a Crow Clan and a Crow Mother/Crow Bride katsina (Angwusnasomtaqa) who appears during the Powamu ceremony in February and an Angwus, or Crow, katsina who acts as a guard katsina, carrying yucca whip as well as a runner katsina, called Angwusngöntaqa.
Raven made of marble by Calvert Bowannie
Navajo raven made of jet by Herbert Davis
Raven made of jet by Michael Coble
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Raven made of marble by Tim Lemmentino
3/17/16 8:49 PM