Existing comment:
Kachina Dolls:
A kachina is the masked spirit revered by the southwestern Puebloan Hopi and Zuni tribes. Kachinas are traditionally believed to inhabit southwestern mountain ranges and can represent a respected ancestor, location or element. Over 400 kachinas exist in Puebloan culture and vary among communities. A kachina is not worshipped, but is venerated as a powerful being that can bring good fortune.
The yearly calendar is divided into kachina ceremonies with specific kachina spirits, songs and dances associated with each celebration. Men within the community crease dolls replicating the kachinas participating in the ceremony. The men later dress in the likeness of the kachinas to become kachina dancers. The kachina dancers bring gifts, including the dolls, to children of the village during the ceremonies. The dolls are not given as toys but as objects to be honored by the children. Each child keeps their kachina doll in a place of importance and is studied as part of the child's religious training. Dolls were not produced for the tourist industry until the 20th century. |