Kachina Gods
A kachina (also spelled katchina, katcina, or katsina; plural katsinim) is a spirit being in the religious beliefs of the Pueblo peoples, Native American cultures located in the south-western part of the United States.
In the Pueblo cultures, kachina rites are practiced by the Hopi, Hopi-Tewa and Zuni peoples and certain Keresan tribes, as well as in most Pueblo tribes in New Mexico.
Although some archaeological investigations have taken place, they have not been able to clarify which tribe, Zuni or Hopi, developed the Kachina Cult first.
The kachina concept has three different aspects: the supernatural being, the kachina dancers, and kachina dolls (small dolls carved in the likeness of the kachina).
Katsina Origins
There are two different accounts in Hopi beliefs for the origins of kachinas. According to one version, the kachinas were good-natured spirit-beings who came with the Hopis from the underworld.
The kachinas wandered with the Hopis over the world until they arrived at Casa Grande, where both the Hopis and the kachinas settled. With their powerful ceremonies, the kachinas were of much help and comfort, for example bringing rain for the crops.
However, all of the kachinas were killed when the Hopis were attacked and the kachinas’ souls returned to the underworld.
Since the sacred paraphernalia of the kachinas were left behind, the Hopis began impersonating the kachinas, wearing their masks and costumes, and imitating their ceremonies in order to bring rain, good crops, and life’s happiness.
Another account says that the Hopis came to take the kachinas for granted, losing all respect and reverence for them, so the kachinas returned to the underworld.
However, before they left, the kachinas taught some of their ceremonies to a few faithful young men and showed them how to make the masks and costumes.
When the other Hopi realized their mistake, they remorsefully turned to the kachinas’ human substitutes, and the ceremonies have continued since then.
Kachina Spirits
Kachinas are spirits or personifications of things in the real world. These spirits are believed to visit the Hopi villages during the first half of the year. The local pantheon of kachinas varies from pueblo community to community.
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 may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, as well as many other concepts.
Kachinas are understood as having human-like relationships: families such as parents and siblings, as well as marrying and having children.
Although not worshipped, each is viewed as a powerful being who, if given veneration and respect, can use his particular power for human good, bringing rainfall, healing, fertility, or protection, for example.
The central theme of kachina beliefs and practices is the presence of life in all objects that fill the universe. Everything has an essence or a life force, and humans must interact with these or fail to survive.
Hopi Kachinas
The most important Hopi kachinas are known as wuya. In Hopi, the term wuya often refers to the spiritual beings themselves (said to be connected with the Fifth World, Taalawsohu), the dolls, or the people who dress as kachinas for ceremonial dances.
These are all understood to embody all aspects of the same belief system. Some of the wuyas include:
- Ahöla — Ahola, also known as Ahul, opens the mid-winter Powamu ceremony.
- Ahöl Maana — She is a maiden spirit, who goes with Ahöla during the Powamu ceremony as he visits various kivas and ceremonial houses. On these visits Ahöl Mana carries a tray with various kinds of seeds.
- Aholi — Aholi is a kachina spirit. He is a friend of Eototo and is very handsome, Aholi wears a colorful cloak with a picture of Muyingwa and is the patron kachina of the Pikya clan. Aholi once allowed his throat to be slit so that Eototo could escape. They eventually met again. Aholi, a chief kachina on Third Mesa, appears with Eototo. Both are principal kachinas appearing in the Powamu and other sacred rituals.
- Ahul — See Ahola
- Ahulani
- Akush
- Alosaka — Alosaka is another katchina responsible for growth of crops, and possibly an alternate name or alternate aspect of Muyingwa. Alosaka also refers to two wooden idols called the Alosaka. These idols or kachinas (or katsinam) were part of a shrine at the village of Awatobi, situated south of Keams Canyon on the eastern edge of the Hopi reservation. Awatobi was destroyed around 1700, however the shrine was used for at least another 200 years by the priests from the second mesa village of Mishungnovi (Mishoninovi).
- Angak — Angak is originally from the Zuni Pueblo. The goal of the Angak spirit is to bring rain and flowers to the Hopi villages. Angak sings sweet songs to bring rain. He also represents a healing and protective figure.
- Angwushahai-i
- Angwusnasomtaka
- Eototo
- Hahay-i Wuhti
- He-e-e
- Horo or Yohozro Wuhti
- Hu
- Huruing Wuhti
- Kalavi
- Kaletaka
- Ketowa Visena
- Kötsav
- Kököle
- Kokopelli
- Kokosori
- Kokyang Wuhti
- Koshari or Koyaala
- Kwasai Taka
- Lemowa
- Masau’u
- Mastop
- Maswik
- Mong
- Muyingwa
- Nakiatsop
- Nataska
- Ongtsomo
- Pahlikmana or Polik-mana
- Patsava Hú
- Patung
- Pöqangwhoya
- Pohaha or Pahana
- Saviki
- Shalako Taka
- Shalako Mana
- Söhönasomtaka
- Soyal
- Tanik’tsina
- Tawa
- Tiwenu
- Toho
- Tokoch
- Tsaveyo
- Tsa’kwayna
- Tsimon Maana
- Tsitot
- Tsiwap
- Tsowilawu
- Tukwinong
- Tukwinong Mana
- Tumas
- Tumuala
- Tungwup
- Ursisimu
- We-u-u
- Wiharu
- Wukoqala
- Wupa-ala
- Wupamo
- Wuyak-kuyta
Zuni Kachinas
Religious ceremonies are central to the Zuni agrarian society. They revolve around the winter and summer solstices, incorporate the importance of weather, especially rain, and ensure successful crops.
The Zuni believe that the kachinas live in the Lake of the Dead, a mythical lake which is reached through Listening Spring Lake. This is located at the junction of the Zuni River and the Little Colorado River.
Both Zuni and Hopi kachinas are different from each other but have certain similarities and features. In addition, both Zuni and Hopi kachinas are highly featured and detailed, while the kachinas of the Rio Grande Pueblos look more primitive in feature.
The Hopis have built their religion into a more elaborate rite, and seem to have a greater sense of drama and artistry than the Zunis. On the other hand, the latter have developed a more sizable folklore concerning their kachinas.
The list of Zuni kachinas includes:
- A’Hute
- Ainawua
- Ainshekoko
- Anahoho
- A’thlanna
- Atoshle Otshi
- Awan Pekwin
- Awan Pithlashiwanni
- Awan Tatchu
- Awek Suwa Hanona
- Bitsitsi
- Chakwaina
- Chakwaina Okya
- Chathlashi
- Chilili
- Eshotsi
- Hainawi
- Hehea
- Hehe’a
- Hemokatsiki
- Hemushikiwe
- Hetsululu
- Hilili Kohana
- Hututu
- Ishan Atsan Atshi
- Itetsona
- Itsepasha
- Kakali
- Kalutsi
- Kanatshu
- Kanilona
- Kiaklo
- Kianakwe
- Kianakwe Mosona
- Kokokshi
- Kokothlanna
- Kokwele
- Komokatsiki
- Kothlamana
- Koyemshi
- Kwamumu
- Kwamumu Okya
- Kwelele
- Lapilawe
- Mahedinasha
- Mitotasha
- Mitsinapa
- Mókwala
- Mukikwe
- Mukikw’ Okya
- Muluktaka
- Muyapona
- Nahalisho
- Nahalish Awan Mosona
- Nahalish Okya
- Nalashi
- Na’le
- Na’le Okya
- Na’le Otshi
- Natashku
- Natshimomo
- Nawisho
- Neneka
- Nepaiyatemu
- Ohapa
- Oky’enawe (Girls)
- Ololowishkia
- Owiwi
- Paiyatamu
- Pakoko
- Pakok’Okya
- Pasikiapa
- Pautiwa
- Posuki
- Potsikish
- Saiyapa
- Saiyatasha
- Saiyathlia
- Salimopia Itapanahnan’ona
- Salimopia Kohan’ona
- Salimopia Shelow’ona
- Salimopia Shikan’ona
- Salimopia Thlian’ona
- Salimopia Thluptsin’ono
- Sate’tshi E’lashokti
- Shalako (6)
- Shalako Anuthlona
- Shi-tsukia
- Shulawitsi
- Shulawitsi An Tatchu
- Shulawitsi Kohanna
- Shumaikoli
- Siwolo
- Suyuki
- Temtemshi
- Thlelashoktipona
- Thlewekwe
- Thlewekwe Okya
- Tomtsinapa
- Tsathlashi
- Upikaiapona
- Upo’yona
- Wahaha
- Wakashi
- Wamuwe
- Wilatsukwe
- Wilatsukw’ Okya
- Wo’latana
- Yamuhakto
- Yeibichai
Kachina Dancers
Many Pueblo Indians, particularly the Hopi and Zuni, have ceremonies in which masked men, called kachinas, play an important role. Masked members of the tribe dress up as kachinas for religious ceremonies that take place many times throughout the year.
These ceremonies are social occasions for the village, where friends and relatives are able to come from neighboring towns to see the dance and partake in the feasts that are always prepared.
When a man places a mask upon his head and wears the appropriate costume and body paint, his personal identity is lost and the spirit of the kachina he is supposed to represent takes its place.
Besides the male kachinas are many female kachinas called kachin-manas, but women never take the part of male or female kachinas.
The most widely publicised of Hopi kachina rites is the “Snake Dance,” an annual event during which the performers danced while handling live snakes.
Clowns
Clowns are a special kind of Kachina that play dual roles. Their prominent role is to amuse the audience during the extended periods of the outdoor celebrations, where they perform as jesters or circus clowns.
The clowns play an important role-embodying wrong social behavior, they are soon put in their place by the katsinam for all to see. The presence of clowns in the morality play makes people more receptive to the messages of proper social convention and encourages a crucial human trait: a keen sense of humor.
The Hopi have four groups of clowns, some of which are sacred. Adding to the difficulty in identifying and classifying these groups, there are a number of kachinas whose actions are identified as clown antics.
The clown’s more subtle and sacred role is in the ritual performances. The sacred functions of the clowns are relatively private, if not held secret, and as a result have received less public exposure.
Kachina Ceremonies
In many ways the Kachina rites are the most important ceremonial observances in the Hopi religious calendar.
The kachinas are said to live on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona. To the Hopis, kachinas are supernatural beings who visit the villages to help the Hopis with everyday activities and act as a link between Gods and mortals.
These spirits are then impersonated by male dancers wearing costumes and masks for ceremonies during the first half of the year.
The first ceremony of the year, the Powamu, occurs in February and is associated with the bean planting, the growing season, and coming of age. The last katsina ceremony, Niman, occurs in July and is associated with the harvest, after which the katsinam return to their home in the San Francisco Peaks.
Kachina Dolls
Kachina dolls are small brightly painted wooden “dolls” which are miniature representations of the masked impersonators. These figurines are given to children not as toys, but as objects to be treasured and studied so that the young Hopis may become familiar with the appearance of the kachinas as part of their religious training.
During Kachina ceremonies, each child receives their own doll. The dolls are then taken home and hung up on the walls or from the rafters of the house, so that they can be constantly seen by the children.
The purpose of this is to help the children learn to know what the different kachinas look like. It is said that the Hopi recognize over 200 kachinas and many more were invented in the last half of the nineteenth century.
Kachina dolls are traditionally carved by the maternal uncles and given to uninitiated girls at the Bean Dance (Spring Bean Planting Ceremony) and Home Dance Ceremony in the summer.
These dolls are very difficult to classify not only because the different tribes have a vague idea about their appearance and function, but also because these ideas differ from mesa to mesa and pueblo to pueblo.
Kachinas in the Tourist Trade
Beginning around 1900, there was a great deal of interest in the Kachina figurines, especially among tourists, and the dolls became sought-after collectibles. For this reason, many Hopi began making the figurines commercially to make a living.
Hopi kachina dolls, tihü, are ceremonial objects with religious meaning. Hopi carvers alter these, removing their religious meaning, to meet the demand for decorative commercial objects sought by non-Hopi.
Article Index:
The Ahöla Kachina, also known as Ahul, is a spirit being, embodied by a man, in Hopi religion.
Ahöla is one of the important chief katsinam for First and Second Mesas because he opens the mid-winter Powamu ceremony, sometimes called the Bean Planting Festival, officially beginning Katsina season.
Hopi kachinas or katsinas.. KEYWORDS: hopi kachina hopi katsina kachinas hopi ceremonial dolls hopi spirit dolls hopi religious dolls kachina dance hopi ceremonial dances
Hopi kachinas (or katsinas as the Hopi people call them) are supernatural beings who live among the evergreens of the San Francisco Peaks south of the Hopi Mesas, and at the Spring of the Shadows to the east. From these cloud homes, they travel to the villages several times a year and appear in many elaborate kachina dances.
The kachinas bring blessings, rain and fertility. In exchange, the people give prayer feathers, corn pollen, and various rituals.
About 300 kachinas appear regularly, and another 200 or so appear intermittently, to help the children learn to identify them.
Hopi kachina dolls
Kachina dolls are carved out of cotton wood and given to the children by the kachinas during the ceremonies. These dolls also symbolize the perpetuation of all life forms.
Kachina dolls have evolved over the years from the flat slabs of cottonwood with arms and legs simply painted on, to the present day elaborate carved and decorated types.
Katsina Society
In the world of the Hopi all things have both a spiritual and physical form which they believe provides balance. Kachinas represent the spiritual aspect of this natural balance. This belief extends to a wide and varied range of Kachina spirits ranging from local game to even death itself.
In the Kachina Society it is the male members of the Hopi that dress in costumes and masks to portray the Kachina spirits. Through their costumes and actions these men give shape and substance to the Kachina which they are portraying. These men are believed to be invested by the specific Kachina portrayed.
The kachina season begins in late December with the Soyal as several kachinas wake and emerge from the kivas. (Kivas are underground ceremonial rooms which are believed to provide entry from and to the Underworld) These kachinas perform rites which improves the bonds and well being of the Hopi people and their villages before returning to their kivas.
As early or false spring approaches in February the Powamu ceremony is held. This ceremony and its’ kachinas ready the world for a new season of planting and growth. Great numbers of kachinas emerge from the kivas escorted by guards and warriors. Trailing them are the clowns with their constant irreverent behavior. This ceremony also represents the time when children are initiated into the kachina cult.
The Niman ceremony, which is held in mid summer represents the end of the kachina season. The kachinas dance in the plaza carrying stalks of corn and bearing gifts for the children. This is a time of thanks and appreciation for the harvest which the kachinas helped provide as well as a time to bid them farewell. With a final ceremony the kachinas are sent off to their mountain homes to await the renewed cycle of the coming year.
Kachina Dolls (Katsina) or Tihu
While the Hopi men have a substantial degree of “contact” with the Kachinas through their impersonation the Hopi women do not enjoy this same degree of contact. Perhaps in a way to satisify the women’s needs, the men carve an impersonation of the Kachina called a Tihu and give it to mothers and their infants as well as females of all ages at the ceremonial Kachina Dances.
The tihus (Kachina Dolls), which are believed to embody the spirit of the Kachina they represent, are then taken home and hung from the wall or perhaps a beam so as to ensure the preservation of what is considered a valued possession.
Kachina & non Kachina Ceremonies for the Hopi
Some Hopi ceremonies are private affairs, others are open to the public even though they are still ceremonial dances. The Hopi believe these dances are for the benefit of all peoples. See The Three Mesas of the Hopi Reservation for tips on the proper etiquitte to follow if you attend one of these ceremonies:
Pamuya -Kachina Dance Ceremony
These dances are held in January and are also called the Kiva Dances.
Powamu – Kachina Dance Ceremony
Held in February these dances are called the Bean Dances.
Anktioni – Kachina Dance Ceremonial
Repeat dances held in March.
Soyohim – Kachina Dance Ceremonials
Plaza dances held in April-May.
Niman – Kachina Dance Ceremony
Home dances held in July.
Snake or Flute Dances – Non-Kachina Ceremony
Usually held in August.
Marau – Non-Kachina Ceremonial
Womens Society held in Sepember.
Oaqole – Non-Kachina Ceremony
Womens Society held in October.
Wuwuchim – Non-Kachina ceremonial
Tribal initiation held in November.
Soyala – Kachina Dance Ceremony
Held in December.