Mavasta Honyouti is a skilled Hopi Katsina carver from Hotevilla Third Mesa; He is Ronald Honyouti’s son and Clyde Honyouti’s Grandson, both skilled Hopi Katsina carvers.  He is well known for his scenes carved in low-relief.  This piece is entitled, “Maidens”.  It is carved from cottonwood root.  The piece has three Hopi katsinas:  Snow Maiden, Longhair Mana, and Hano Mana. The Red Bearded Longhair Mana is to bring rain in the summer, the Snow Maiden appears to bring snow so there will be moisture in the spring for crops.  The Hano Mana is also called Tewa Maiden and she appears in the pre-planting season Bean Dance. She represents the hope and wishes for a good harvest, enough to eat over the next winter.  Each of the figures is holding up a traditional-style rain cloud.  Carved near the base are colorful rain clouds.  It is not just the figures on this piece that are so striking, but the various levels of carving!  As well, Mavast has carved the piece on the interior so it looks like a jar!  AMAZING!  The piece is painted after the carving. It is signed, “M. Honyouti”.