Native American Kachina Dolls
From Native American Information Superhighway Alltribes™ Wiki
Kachina Dolls are gifts given in hope of future abundance and health, as well as tools for education. The Kachina dolls of today's art market are a bridge not only between the spiritual world and mortals but also between Hopis and non-Hopis. Each year Kachinas come, they walk upon the earth and they dance to bring life and renewal. When the Kachinas return to the spirit world at the end of the planting, they return with prayers of the Hopi that we might all continue on this earth for another round in the circle of life. 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. The Navajo began carving in their own creative way, adding leather,feather, beads and turquoise. For over 2000 years the Indians of the Southwest have danced beneath the heavens, praying to the great spirits for rain and a bountiful harvest. These spirits are embodied by Kachinas (ka chee`nas). Kachinas represent the spirits of created beings like the soaring eagle and the cunning wolf. During religious ceremonies, the Indians dress up in the elaborate costumes of Kachinas in a celebration of the harmony of creation.
Navajo Kachina Dolls, Hopi Kachina Dolls, Shalako Kachinas, etc...
History
- In recent years many Native Americans, including the Navajo, have embraced the creation of Kachina figurines. There are more than 250 different kachinas, each with its own separate attributes, representing everything from animals to abstract concepts. Kachina Dolls are models of the Kachinas and represent their likeness and traits. The dolls are gifts given to children and families in hope of future abundance and health as well as tools for education. The Kachina dolls of today's art market are a bridge not only between the spiritual world and mortals but also between Hopis and non-Hopis. The Hopi were the original Kachina doll carvers, using a single piece of cottonwood root. Their traditions were not isolated and soon the Navajo began carving in their own creative way, adding leather, feathers, fur, beads, and turquoise. Each year Kachinas come, they walk upon the earth and they dance to bring life and renewal, distribute gifts to the children, and reinforce the connection between the spirit world and the people. When the Kachinas return to the spirit world at the end of the planting, they return with the prayers of the Hopi that we might all continue on this earth for another round in the circle of life.
Religion
- Kachinas originate from the religious and spiritual beliefs of the Pueblo Indians, in particular the Hopi and the Zuni. : Kachinas are spirits, often of animals, who carry the prayers of the people. During : Kachina ceremonies and dances, the men who wear the masks and dress of these spirits are also called : Kachinas because it is believed that they become the spirits of the : Kachina. Kachina ceremonies take place during the first half of the : Hopi religious calendar from winter solstice to mid-July. There are five major ceremonies, lasting nine days each. Most of these ceremonies and dances are held in the underground Kivas where only the initiated may see them.
Types of Kachinas
Eagle
The Eagle Kachina represents strength & power. He is the ruler of the sky and the messenger to the heavens.
Hoop Dancer
The Hoop Dancer Kachina Doll amuses the audience of a major ceremony. The rings represent the circle of life.
Hemis
The Hemis Kachina Doll represents happiness of a successful harvest.
Wolf
The Wolf Kachina is a hunter using his knowledge to find and capture game.
Ogre (White & Black)
The White Ogre Kachina Doll represents good.
The Black Ogre Kachina Doll threatens small children who are naughty.
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Bear
The Bear Kachina Doll represents great power to cure the sick.
Owl
The Owl Kachina Doll is beneficial to agriculture because of his destruction to rodents. Symbolizes intelligence & wisdom.
Deer
The Deer Kachina Doll dances to increase his kind for plenty to eat for the future.
Bean
The Bean Kachina Doll dances for a plentiful crop of beans.
Ram
The Ram Kachina Doll much like all game animals, dances for increase of its kind and has power over the rain.
Snow
The Snow Kachina Doll brings snow and cold weather essential to the growth of crops.
Badger
The Badger Kachina Doll cures the sick, prayers for the growth of healing herbs are given to him.
Priest Killer
The Priest Killer Kachina Doll referred to by the non-Hopi people as the Priest Killer because he carried out the beheading of the priest during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The pueblo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico revolted against the Catholic Church in order to retain and have the freedom of practicing their own religion.
Lizard
The Lizard Kachina Doll is a fighting Kachina, brings sweethearts together. (like Cupid)
Chief
The Chief Kachina Doll is an ancient Kachina representing great power of knowledge.
Old Man
The Old Man Kachina Doll is a grandfather Kachina who sings songs for a successful growing season.
Spotted Corn
The Spotted Corn Kachina Doll Kachina Doll aides in the production and pollination of corn for ceremonies and other use.
Crow Mother
The Crow Mother Kachina doll watches over children as they play.
Corn Maiden
The Corn Maiden Kachina Doll is said to purify women who grind the corn for ceremonies and other use.
Road Runner
The Road Runner Kachina Doll assists in bringing rain and wards off witchcraft to protect homes.
Hummingbird
The Hummingbird Kachina Doll is a runner, brilliant impersonate.
Morning Singer
The Morning Singer Kachina Doll appears on roof tops singing songs to wake up the people of the villages.
Santo Domingo
The Santa Donmingo Kachina Doll blesses the seed for a good harvest.
Buffalo & Wolf Warrior
The Buffalo Warrior & Wolf Warrior Kachina Doll assures that there will be adequate food for the winter.
The Wolf Warrior also assures that there will be adequate food for the winter.
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Zuni Rain Priest
The Zuni Rain Priest Kachina Doll accompanies the Shalako to bring rain.
Shalako
The Shalako Kachina Doll is the most magnificent, towers seven or eight feet, usually appears with its mate.
Red Tail Hawk
The Red Tail Hawk Kachina Doll is rarely seen he serves many important purposes.
White Cloud
the White Cloud Kachina Doll represents the clouds in the sky and brings moisture for crops.
Hototo
The Hototo Kachina Doll is a preparer of food and the most respected of the war Kachinas.
Antelope
The Antelope Kachina Doll dances to increase numbers and also brings rain.
Mudhead
The Mudhead Kachina Doll acts as a clown.
Paralyzed
The Paralyzed Kachina Doll is always carried by a friend who was blind, together they were able to hunt and travel.
Medicine Man
The Medicine Man Kachina Doll fixes herbs and roots to prevents & cures sickness and also gives advice.
Butterfly
The Butterfly Kachina Doll lands on flowers, then the medicine man uses these in his medicine.
Rainbow
The Rainbow Kachina Doll represents peace and harmony thought the tribes.
1st Mesa
The 1st Mesa Kachina Doll passage way to other mesas.
Kokopelli
The Kokopelli Kachina Doll is is a hunched back flute player, fertility god, seducer of young girls, baby-maker. He carries a bag of presents to distribute to the women he seduces.
Sunface
The Sunface Kachina Doll represents warmth, shelter for the old, bright future, and playfulness for the young.
Broadface
The Broadface Kachina Doll carries yucca whips to enforce community cleaning.
Left Hand
The Left Hand Kachina Doll does everything in opposite.
Chasing Star
The Chasing Star Kachina Doll symbolizes the stars and the planets.
Snake Dancer
The Snake Dance Kachina Doll sends message with the snake to ask the Gods to bring rain.
