Kachina Dolls are native American Indian art, as they are hand made and painted by native American artisans. Kachina Dolls, like the human Kachina dancers, are visual representations of the invisible spirits that assist in the rigors of life. Each Kachina doll represents a spirit in life. Some typical spirits represented by the Hopi in Kachina dolls include: the chief, the corn maiden, the ceremonial dancer, the singer, the ogre, the buffalo, the badger, the crow, the hawk, clouds, the sun, and the rainbow. The dolls are spiritual messengers that bring special blessings. Dolls are gifts given in hope of future abundance and health, as well as tools for education.
Kachina dolls, also known as katsinas, started in what is now the southwestern United States. The real History Kachina Dolls are made only from the cottonwood root and are hand-carved representations of spirits in customary Native American cultures. The History Kachina Doll spirits walked with thier people long ago. When the natives ignored them, the spirits were insulted, and so became invisible to the people. Customs holds that the Kachina spirits trained thier people the delight of dance, and then they left the natural world.
The Hopi tribe say theirs were the only True work, claiming the History Kachina Doll to be the first native culture to emply them. Although, the Navajo, Zuni, Pueblo and Apache tribes made Kachina dolls, also carved only from the cottonwood root to envoy the spirit entities, likewise used in rituals, and as symbolic icons. The artists carve these dolls are devoted to their craft, spending many years, indeed a lifetime, to thier art.
The tribes display History Kachina Dolls in their homes to remind them of spiritual blessings and teach their children the legends and symbolism of the doll, passed to all thier generations. There are two to three hundred different Kachina dolls, and they all have story's about thier spirit entity's.
Kachina tradition is unique only to the Pueblo Tribes of Arizona and New Mexico. Kachina's were usually made from the roots of the cottonwood tree, which are traditionally made by the men of a tribe and presented to girls; boys receive bows and arrows. Kachina dolls are not gods, but the symbolic representations, in human form, of the spirits of plants, animals, birds, places or ancestors. Kachinas are spirits, often of animals, who carry the prayers of the people. Kachinas represent the spirits of created beings like the soaring eagle and the cunning wolf. Among other uses, the Kachinas represent historical events and things in nature, and are used to educate children in the ways of life. There are Kachina spirits for every purpose.
Kachinas are an integral part of Hopi and Zuni life. Among the Hopi, Kachina dolls are traditionally carved by the uncles and given to uninitiated girls at the Bean Dance (Spring Bean Planting Ceremony) and Home Dance Ceremony in the summer. Hopi Kachina Dolls are measured from base to highest point on the Hopi Kachina Doll. Kachina dolls were important to the Hopi tribe because they were a part of their religion. Hopi children enjoy a whole series of Christmas delights during the period from late December to July. Kachina is to Native Americans as Santa Claus is to many other children.
Kachina dolls are lovely souvenirs and make great gifts.
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