Description

This is a Hopi Kachina that is known as a Handprint Racer Kachina (Malatsmo), because of the handprints on his face and chest, or as a Pot Carrier Man Kachina, because of the pot he sometimes carries on his back. This kachina appears in ceremonies where young men race each other. In the Hopi tradition, if in a footrace with this kachina he overtakes you, he slaps his blackened hand on your back and you must wear that mark for the entire day. In addition to being known as Malatsmo, this kachina may also be called atya, Malatsmo, Malachpeta, Matyso or Sivu-i-kil Taka.