Near the settlement of Hano people at Isba, Coyote spring, not far from the Government House, but on the right of the road from Keams Canyon, there is a large spring called Moñwiva, which is sacred to the Plumed Snake of Hano. In the March festival, effigies of this monster are carried to this spring, where certain ceremonies are performed similar to those which the Walpians observe[1] at Tawapa.
A year ago (1899) this spring, which had become partially filled with sand, was dug out and walled, at which time an elaborate masked dance representing Nüvak katcina was performed near it. This intimate association between Palülükoñ (Plumed Snake) and Nüvak (Snow) appears on a mask of the latter, presently described and figured.
The picture of one form of Snow katcina, shown in the accompanying figure, has rectangular terraced designs on the back of the head and zigzag sticks representing lightning snakes on the upper edge. The figure wears a white blanket reversed. The picture shows the stitches of the embroidery on the lower margin.
A second figure of the Snow katcina, on which the predominant color is green instead of white, is readily distinguished from the former by figures of snakes' heads painted on each cheek. It has the same four lightning symbols on the head and two eagle tail feathers. This figure wears an ordinary dance kilt, embroidered with rain-cloud and falling-rain designs, and held in place by a girdle. It carries a flute in one hand.
Yohozro Wüqti[2]
(Plate XXII)
The Cold-bringing woman, who is connected with the Nüvak or Snow katcina, is claimed by the people of Hano as one of their supernaturals. She is depicted as wearing a white mask with a red spot on each cheek, a small beard, and a red tongue hanging from a mouth which has prominent teeth.
She has ear pendants, and a red feather is attached to the crown of her head. There is a fox skin about her neck, and she is clothed in a white blanket, tied with a knotted girdle.
Powamû
(Plates XIV and XXII)
On the morning of the last day of the Powamû festival there are dances in the kivas in which participate unmasked men called Powamû katcinas, a figure of one of whom is given in the accompanying plate.
