Kachina Dolls

Kachina Dolls – A kachina (/kəˈtʃiːnə/; also katchina or katcina; Hopi: katsina /kətˈsiːnə/, plural katsinim /kətˈsiːnɨm/) is a spirit being in western Pueblo cosmology and religious practices. Kachina dolls are modeled after kachina dancers, masked members of the tribe who dress up as kachinas for religious ceremonies. These dolls are perhaps the most recognizable Native American doll types collected today. Katchinas are made by the western Pueblo, Native American cultures located in the southwestern United States.

Drawings from an 1894 anthropology book of dolls
(Tihus) representing kachinas, or spirits, made by the
native Pueblo people of the Southwestern US.
The dolls are made of carved cottonwood and
 traditionally given to children. The figures are
 identified on p. 74 of the source as representing
the kachinas: 37.Si-o-S(h)a-li-ko 38.Si-o-ka-tci-na
 39.Co-tuk-i-nun-wu 40.La-puk-ti 41.Do-mas-ka-tci-na
42.Tcuc-ku-ti 43.Si-o-sa-li-ko. Alterations
 to image: removed plate number.

 

       A kachina can represent anything in the natural world or cosmos, from a revered ancestor to an element, a location, a quality, a natural phenomenon, or a concept. There are more than 400 different kachinas in Hopi and Pueblo culture. The local pantheon of kachinas varies in each pueblo community; there may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, and many other concepts. Kachinas are understood as having human like relationships; they may have uncles, sisters, and grandmothers, and may marry and have children. Although not worshipped, each is viewed as a powerful being who, if given veneration and respect, can use their particular power for human good, bringing rainfall, healing, fertility, or protection, for example.

      The most important of the kachinas are known as wuya. These are some of the wuyas: Ahöla, Ahöl Mana, Aholi, Ahul, Ahulani, Akush, Alosaka,Angak, Angwushahai-i,Angwusnasomtaka, Chaveyo, Chakwaina Chiwap, Chowilawu, Cimon Mana, Danik, Dawa (kachina), Eototo, Hahai-i  Wuhti, He-e-e, Hú, Huruing Wuhti, Kalavi, Kaletaka, Ketowa Bisena, Köchaf, Kököle, Kokopelli, Kokosori, Kokyang Wuhti, Kwasai Taka, Lemowa, Masau’u, Mastop, Maswik, Mong, Muyingwa, Nakiachop,Nataska, Ongchomo,Pachava Hú, Patung, Pohaha or Pahana, Saviki,Pöqangwhoya, Shalako Taka, ShalakoMana, Söhönasomtaka, Soyal,Tiwenu, Toho, Tokoch, Tsitot, Tukwinong, Tukwinong Mana, Tumas, Tumuala, Tungwup, Ursisimu, We-u-u, Wiharu, Wukokala, Wupa-ala, Wupamo, Wuyak-kuita,

Links to Kachina:

• Arts of the Americas: Kachina Doll (Chilchi)
• Kriss Family Collection
• Kachina Dolls by Walter Bernard Hund
  

 

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