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Kachinas can be spirits of deities, animals, and even deceased members of the Pueblo known for special kindness or prowess. One such Kachina, He-e-wuhti, wears the black face of a warrior. She is powerful and terrible to behold.
Why are the Kachinas important?
Kachina means “life-bringer,” and various kachina rituals and ceremonies are believed to be essential in securing the growth of crops, the summer rains, and good health in an extreme climate. Kachinas are thus not gods, per se, but rather animistic and ancestral spirits.
What do Kachinas do?
A kachina can represent anything in the natural world or cosmos; they represent people (clowns, warriors), animals (eagles, buffalos, and butterflies), natural forces (wind, lighting and thunderstorms), planets and stars (sun, moon) or deceased ancestors.
Who made Kachinas?
The first kachina doll was collected from the Hopi in 1857 by Dr. Palmer, a U.S. Army surgeon. Afterwards more dolls were picked up by travelers and the first photographs were taken in the 19th century. These early dolls were simple in style, with slightly detailed masks and simplified bodies.
What are Kachinas and what is the purpose of their rituals?
The purpose of the Kachina dolls are to teach children to identify the various spiritual figures and the symbolism of their regalia and costumes. Festivals, ceremonies and dances of the Pueblo and Hopi tribes feature the Kachina dancers. These celebrations and rituals are carefully prepared in advance of the event.
Where do Kachinas live?
Kachinas are holy spirits that live upon the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona and other sacred mountains in the Southwest. During the period beginning with the Winter Solstice and extending to about mid-July, masked dancers initiated into the various clans of the Hopi Pueblos impersonate these spirits.
What tribes used kachina dolls?
Kachina dolls originated with the Hopi tribe. They were given to Hopi children during ceremonies, then hung on the wall and studied afterward. Kachina dolls were made in the image of the spirits worshipped by the tribe. They were not toys to play with, but religious icons to celebrate and contemplate.
How many different Kachinas are there?
There are more than 250 different Kachinas, each with its own separate attributes, representing everything from animals to abstract concepts. The Hopi were the original Kachina Doll carvers, using a single piece of cottonwood root.
What were Kachinas made of?
Traditionally, Kachina dolls are carved from a single cottonwood root. Today, though, carvers may make dolls from a variety of other woods. The dolls are then painted and decorated to resemble particular Kachinas.
How do you identify a Kachina doll?
Identifying Kachina Dolls Overall whitewash. Detailed painting of decorations and facial features. Clothing that is painted on or created from fabric. A ruff around the neck. Jewelry that is painted or made of metal and other materials. Handheld objects or props, such as rattles, knives, and tools.
What does kachina mean in Spanish?
Wiktionary. kachinanoun. A system or cult of (often secret) religious rituals and ceremonies involving masks and dances concerned with bringing rain and good crops and with community welfare and integration found in typically western Pueblo cultures in the North American Southwest. Etymology: From qatsina.
When were kachina invented?
Most of the Kachina dolls were invented in the late 19th century and can be separated chronologically by their look in four periods: the Early Traditional, Late Traditional, Early Action and Late Action periods. The Early Traditional Period lasted from 1850 to 1910.
What does the name kachina mean?
In Native American the meaning of the name Kachina is: Spirit.
What are katsinas and what is their role in society?
Katsinas have the power to bring rain, exercise control over the weather, help in many of the everyday activities of the villagers, punish offenders of ceremonial or social laws, and, in general, to function as messengers between the spiritual domain and mortals. Katsinas are spiritual messengers.
How do you say the word kachina?
Phonetic spelling of kachina. kachi-na. ku-chi-nuh. Kaa-CH-IY-Naa. kuh-chee-nuh. Meanings for kachina. Dancing spirt. Spirit in Hopi language. Translations of kachina. Chinese : 克奇纳神 Korean : 카치나 Russian : Качина.
What is a Mudhead kachina?
Kachina figures, known as the clown Kachina, or Koyemsi, are called Mudhead Kachina. Seen in most Hopi ceremonies, the Mudhead Kachinas play the role of entertainment and laughter at the Hopi dances. They drum, dance, play games and may act as announcers for events.
How do you make kachina?
Things You’ll Need Toilet paper tube or similar cardboard tube. Scissors. Tape. Hot glue (and paper glue if you’re using construction paper for the clothing) A Styrofoam ball or a ping-pong ball (or other object for the doll’s head, like clay or a small box) Tempera paint, acrylic paint and/or markers. Brushes.
Are kachinas Navajo?
Kachina dolls are not part of the Navajo tribe’s spiritual tradition. However, Navajo kachina dolls reflect the Navajo’s willingness to assimilate ideas and art forms of neighboring Pueblo cultures.
Are kachina dolls sacred?
The kachina dolls are sacred objects used in the ceremonies, from February to July. The dolls are given to children in the off-season so they don’t forget what the deities look like. The Hopi dolls can take from a week to a month to carve. Tradition dictates that only men carve the cottonwood figures.
Who carved kachina dolls?
The Zuni and Hopi pueblos are associated with dolls made in the early 20th century, but many of the Rio Grande pueblos also made flat or alter dolls mainly for ceremonial purposes. Most collectors associate Kachina dolls with those made by the Hopi, as they had the most active carvers.
Are kachina dolls valuable?
Today, both old and new kachina dolls are among the most desirable collectibles in the Native American crafts market, and sell for a few hundred dollars, up to as much as $250,000 — the price paid for an early and rare traditional kachina.
Are Hopi and Navajo the same?
The Navajo and Hopi tribes have occupied the same territory for centuries, though Navajos tended to be more nomadic sheepherders and Hopis mostly resided on three mesas towering above the surrounding desert. Hopis outnumbered Navajos six to one on the land, but the Navajo population grew over time.
