Kachina Field Guide

Kachina

A field guide

Kachina

A field guide

Welcome to the Tribe Ceremonial Calendar Month by Month

03 05 07

Hopi Kachina Dolls

09

Kwahu

Pahlik Mana

11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

Soyoko Tawa Tumus Koshari Shalako Ahola Masau’u Hahai-i

Glossary

31

References 33

03

Tribe WELCOME TO THE

The tribe believes that Kachinas had once lived with the Hopi people but due to some catastrophe, the Kachinas had to return to the Spirit World. To continue contact with the Kachinas, the Hopi developed the custom of impersonating them in rituals as a way of communicating with masks and costumes. With the various ritual dances the people could obtain blessings to the Kachinas.

A Kachina has three aspects: the supernatural spirit beings, who assist the Hopi people by bringing rain and other needs; the masked impersonators dancing in the ceremonies, and the small dolls carved in to represent the Kachinas. As supernaturals, they can hear the prayers of the living and carry them to the deities.

Kachina dolls are not playthings or curios, but rather a form of religious art, used to instruct the children. The men secretly carve the small cottonwood root and give them to the children as a means of teaching the children about the more than 250 Kachina spirits.

Kachina Season January Febuary March April May June

Paamuya Kiva Dances Powamu Ceremony Osomuya Kiva Dances Kwiyamuya Plaza Dances Hakitonmuya Plaza Dances Wuko’uyis Plaza Dances

non-Kachina Season July August September October November Deember

Niman Ceremony Snake Antelope or Flute Ceremonies Marau Women’s Society Ceremonies Oaqol Women’s Society Ceremonies Wuwuchim Tribal Initiation Soyala Ceremony

05

Hopi Ceremonial Calendar

During the summer months of the non-Kachina Season, Hopi villagers operate on a regular harvesting schedule.

This time includes the Tala’paamuya (Aug.), Nasanmuya (Sept.), Toho’osmuy (Oct.), and Kelmuya (Nov.), during which a variety of dances and celebrations occur.

As the colder months arrive, Hopi villagers seek guidance and assistance from the Kachina spirits. The Kachina season begins at winter solstice, when figures representing the spirits emerge around Hopi villages. This occurs during the Kyaamuya (December) ceremony, a time of planning and preparation culminating in the arrival of one of the Chief Kachina who on the last day of the ceremony copens the kivas for the season.

moNTH HOPI CELEVRATIONS BY

Although January is the first month of the year, in Hopi customs November that represents the start of a new cycle.

During each month, different ceremonies and festivities occur in celebration of life.

November Kelmuya, which takes place during the

November, marks the beginning of the Hopi cycle. Wuwutchim ceremonies take place to initiate males adulthood.

December A quiet time of storytelling and private ceremonies, Kyaamuya is highlighted by the Soyala Ceremony. This celebration is to honor Sun Father and Earth Mother, to restore the balance of their world.

January Now that the Kachinas have returned to the

Hopi villages, the winter dances of Paamuya begin in the Kiva.

This is a festive time that is occurs throughout winter.

February

Powamu, celebrated during the month, show an eagerness for the growing season to begin. The Powamuya Ceremony, also known as the Bean Dance, occurs and the Kachinas share bean sprouts with the Hopi people.

March A time that encourages harvest growth and rain,

Osomuya takes place through the month of March. Night Dances are held in each village, and Kachinas visit with offerings of food that will begin to grow in spring.

07 April Kwiyamuya is a joyous time of celebration that

coincides with the beginning of the April growing season. At the end of this celebration, the Kachinas go home with the peoples’ prayers for a healthy growing season.

May

Hakitonmuya, or “the waiting season,” takes place during the month of May. The first crops are planted during this time, and Kachinas like the Planting and the Longhair come to dance in the plazas and bless these early crops.

June

Corn and other important crops are planted during Wuko’uyis, a time filled with joy. This celebratory period coincides with the month of June and involves Plaza Dances almost daily.The Corn Dancer is a prominent figure during this season, as he represents the different types of corn grown by the Hopi people

July

The Talangva season occurs in July and includes the ever-important Niman Ceremony, also known as the Home Celebration. This month involves many feasts and dances, as it is a time when the Kachinas return to their home in the spirit world until the next year.

August

Ala’paamuya occurs in August, after the Kachinas have left for their home in the San Francisco Mountains. This month marks the beginning of summer social dances, including the Snake-Antelope Ceremony and Flute Ceremony that alternate year-to-year.

SEPTEMBER

Nasanmuya is a time of feasting and celebration, as many of the crops are finally ripe for picking! Women’s Society ceremonies are held, often in thanks of the crops that have grown through the summer season.

oCTOBER

Toho’osumy takes place in October when the corn is finally ripe. The men gather the produce, bringing all the food to the women for preparation and storage. Women’s Society ceremonies from the village of Oraib occur.

Each Kachina has a specific role and purpose, each serving an essential part in the Hopi tribe. This guide will teach the the legends behind the ten main Kachina dolls and the roles of each spirit.

Kachina A collection of HOPI

Tawa

Koshari

Masau’u

Hahai-i

09

Dolls Kwahu

Ahola

TĂźmas

Shalako

Pahlik Mana

Soyoko

The EAGLE

is an honored guests among the Hopis, therefore the tribe presents him with gifts. He represents strength, power, and ruler of the sky. This sacred and magnificent Kachina is the protector of all. Among other responsibilities, the Eagle is the messenger between the people and their spirit guides. The most common Hopi dance is named after the Eagle, this dance is a prayer for more eagles. The dancers consciously try to duplicate the actions and motions of eagles.

Kwahu Kwahu appears most often with Mudheads in the Kiva during early March.

Kwahu is associated with the upward direction, spirituality, and balance.

This doll is commonly given as a congratulatory present.

11

According to legend, Kwahu has a significant role in the tribe, as a chief, and serves as a messenger between humans and the Creator. He is particularly associated with warriors and courage in battle. Eagle feathers are prized amongst the tribe, and earned by war honors. Men that are awarded the feather, would place it in a unique headdress. Since the eagle represented a powerful symbol, it was forbidden for a person to eat eagle meat. According to the Hopi tales, if they ingested eagle meat then it would transform them into a monster.

The butterfly Maiden symbolizes energy

of renewal, youth, and beauty. She heralds the season of regeneration, newly blossoming hope and warm breezes from the south. She is thought of as a dancer, not a spirit.

She acts as an intermediary between the supernatural and mortal worlds, fostering fertility, growth, and wellbeing. Pahlik Mana is a reminder of the larger picture of which we are a part. She can awaken neglected qualities in the Hopi people like wonder, trust, and serenity. She offers her lessons of beauty, peacefulness and hope.

Pahlik Mana She appears in the Women’s Mamzrau Initiation Dance.

She is honored as a harbinger of Spring, rejuvenation and transformation.

This doll is commonly given to young girls and women to bless them.

13

According to legend, The Creator made butterflies to gladden his heart when he became sad about the impermanence of life. He took a spot of sunlight, blue from the sky, the lightness of cornmeal, the darkness of a beautiful girl’s hair, the green of pine needles, and the red, and orange of flowers. The Butterfly Maiden, Pahlik Mana, symbolizes the spiritual qualities of the butterfly and provides the same serenity to the tribe.

the Ogre Woman reinforce the Hopi way of life

to the children. The fierce and threatening behavior of the ogre strikes fear into the children, but they are orge eventually saved from imminent danger by the tribe. The tells the children what punishments they may face if they do not follow the Ogre’s rules. To discipline children, they are told the ogres can swallow them whole, if they are not obedient.

Soyoko Soyoko appears during the Powamu ceremony to threaten the lives of the children.

The Ogre Woman is not meant to be evil, but to instill the Hopi rituals in the young generations.

This doll is commonly given to new parents to discipline their children with the tales of the Ogre.

15

According to legend, When Soyoko speaks, it is in a wailing falsetto or with a long dismal hoot of ‘Soyoko-u-u-u,’ from which her name is derived. She may reach for the children with the long crook and threaten to put them in the basket on her back, or to cut off their heads with the large knife that she carries in her hand.

The sun father

By wearing masks that resemble Tawa during winter, the Hopi people felt that they could lure the sun’s return after winter and begin the growing season. Tawa symbolizes life, growth and abunddance. He brings warmth, shelter for the old, a bright future, and playfulness for the young. He is considered a very powerful Kachinas since the Sun is thought to be the brightest and largest of all the stars, and essential to life and growth.

Tawa He appears during the Solstice ceremony, and commonly leads ceremonies.

Hopi Elders emphasis his mighty powers, and importance to the tribe.

This doll can be given for birthdays, holidays,or as an accomplishment gift.

17

According to legend, Tawa’s cycle gives order and meaning to Hopi life; he brings light and warmth to the earth. Before the world had begun, nothing existed except for Tawa, the spirit of the Sun. He gathered together the elements of space and infused them with his own substance to created the first world. He then started the cosmic journey of life from the Underworld to Earth.

the crow mother

is considered to be a figure of great dignity. She is the mother of all Kachinas and the guardian of the Hopi children. She appears carrying a basket of sprouts or corn, symbolizing the miracle of seed germination in the midst of winter and the start of the new growing season. She is the nurturing kachina, the loving mother, and comes to offer her abundance in the form of warm earth and flourishing crops. Her main role in ceremonies is during the initiation of the children into the tribe.

Tümas Tümas leads the Powamuya Dance.

This doll is commonly given to maternal figures.

The Crow Mother’s real name is Angwusnasomtaka, but she is also called “Tumas”.

19

According to legend, At the initiation, she descends into the kiva bearing yucca blades. She takes a position at one corner of the large sand painting on the floor of the kiva. As the candidate is brought to the sand painting she hands a whip to one of the Hu’ Kachinas who gives the child four healthy strokes with the yucca blade. When the initiatory whipping is over, she raises her skirts and receives the same treatment as the children. The newly initiated children enjoy a meal and are gifted with prayer feathers.

The clown provides amusement during Kachina

ceremonies. They engage in loud and boisterous conversation, immoderate actions, and gluttony. They are often drummers for dances. In the Hopi tradition, Koshari frequently disrupts and makes a holy mess out of some of the most vital and fundamental rituals. The clown satirizes Hopi life by acting out and exaggerating improper behavior. The actions of the clowns are meant to portray a lesson on behavior apparent in a tribal member. Their purpose is to show how overdoing anything is bad not only for the individual but for the people.

Koshari Koshaki appears during most ceremonies and always engaging in laughter.

This doll is given for birthdays and to children to remind them of tribe behavior.

He performs satiric skits during the afternoon are reminiscent of the corruption that is experienced in the underworld.

21

According to legend, Koshari would be disrupted during ceremonies, the ceremonial Kachina leader would whip him to show the tribe the punishment for disrespecting the culture. Woman would try to purify his improper actions by pouring buckets of cold water on him. The legend also reveals that, Koshari is known to get stuck on the rooftop because he was not worthy of joining the other Kachinas in the spirit world.

The cloud maiden are messengers and run

back and forth all year carrying messages, as well as bringing moisture and rain when needed. When they leave, they also carry the Hopi’s prayers for rain. The Shalako Ceremony is one of the most important Hopi rituals.

Since Shalako is the messengers to the Gods, their departure at the ceremony is the final prayer for rain to fill the rivers, wells, before summer comes.

Shalako Shalako is the focus of the Shalako Ceremony, performed in late November or early December This doll is commonly given to a home owner, to bless their house.

The Shalako spirit was originally a Zuni belief, and later adopted by the Hopi.

23

According to legend, The Shalako spirit is known to be giant, he towers seven or eight feet. He is believed to first arrive around 1840. His presence is the essential during the focus Shalako Ceremony, celebrating the end of the old and the beginning of the New Year. Shalako also blesses the house, and a dance is performed in his honor to give thanks for a plentiful year and abundant harvest.

The Germination God controls the growth

and reproduction of all things; he is the oldest of the Kachina Clan. Since Ahola is an important chief, he opens the Powamu ceremony with a kiva performance on the first night. He visits each of the kivas to offer strength for the upcoming year. At the end of the cere- mony, Ahola descends to a shrine where he bows four times to the Sun and asks for long life, good health, happiness, and good crops for his children. He also sym- bolizes the coming of the sun, and blessing the land for the planting season.

Ahola Ahola appears during the first Powamu ceremony in Feburary.

This doll is commonly given to woman as a sign of fertility.

Ahola is considered the Chief’s Lieutenant of the Kachinas.

25

According to legend, Being an influential chief, Ahola goes from house to house to make his appearance. On the outside walls of each home, he draws four horizontal marks with corn meal, as a prayer for rain. The women inside the house comes out and sprinkles Ahola with cornmeal.

At the same time, the woman takes some corn seeds from his basket. This tradition symbolizes how the Ahola’s presence bless the seeds to wish for a healthy life.

The earth god

is the only kachina that does not go home after the final ceremony of the season.

He controls both the surface of the earth and the land of the Underworld. On earth, he gives the Hopi their land, their honor, and blesses them on their travels. In the Underworld, he controls the passage of the dead and the movements of the kachinas emerging from the Underworld into the world of the living. Masau’u symbolizes life beyond earth, but he also watches over the tribe to ensure peace among them.

Masau’u Masau’u appears in most of the ceremonies, singing loudly, and dancing around the fires.

This doll is commonly given to a young children, to teach them of the presence of Masau’u Masau’u is considered a trickster, amongst the Kachinas.

27

According to legend, Since Masau’u is known to be from an opposite world, he frequently does things in reverse. He may come down a ladder backwards, or perform other actions in reverse. Hopi’s also believe, when a fellow member dies and is buried, his grave is Masau-u’s house. It is warned to make an offering at his shrine, when walking across the land. If he notices a lack of sacrifices or planting corn, he sends severe punishments.

The grandmother

is highly respected in the tribe. Those who have lived longer are looked on as wise souls and indispensable communicators of tribal traditions and customs. For the Hopi, the Grandmother Kachina is among the most cherished, “The Mother of all Kachinas�. HaHai-i Wuhti pours water from a gourd, symbolizing the water of life poured out to the world.

She is considered to be the Mother who nourishes all beings. However, she is an unusual Kachina in that she is quite vocal.

Hahai-i Hahai-i appears in many important ceremonies like the Hopi Shalako, the Water Serpent, and Soyoko.

This doll is commonly given to babies and captured eagles.

Hahai-i Wuhti is the first doll given to a baby, therefore the doll is very flat.

29

According to legend, HaHai-I known to be a demanding and protective mother to the Nataska, also known as “The Monster Kachinas�.

She would threa-ten the tribe if they failed to get the kind or quality meat desired for her children.

Yet, she shows compassion to the Hopi children by offering them food, and then pour water over their head as a blessing.

Glossary Hopi Tribe A sovereign nation located in northeastern Arizona. The reservation occupies more than1.5 million acres, and is made up of 12 villages.

Hu’ Kachina

He assists crow mother by assisting her with whipping the children with yucca blades.

Kachina a deified ancestral spirit in the mythology of Pueblo Indians, a person who represents a kachina spirit in ceremonial dances, or a small carved figure representing a kachina spirit.

31 Kiva

A chamber, built wholly or partly underground, used by Hopi males for religious rites.

Powamu Ceremony A cluster of several important events for the coming growing season, with ritual designed to promote fertility and germination. This event is also known as “Bean Dance”.

Nataska

also known as “Monster Kachinas,” Nataska is the ogre family that threatens the obey the sacred rituals.

Niman Ceremony Also called “The Going Home

of the Kachinas,” Niman is a ceremony to say goodbye to the winter and spring Kachinas. During this beautiful last ceremony of the Kachina season, the spirits bring the first harvest of the season to the villagers as well as presents for the children.

Underworld

The mythical abode of the ancestors that passed away, and is located under the earth

Zuni Beliefs

The Zuni are Pueblo people located in New Mexico. Their religion is integrated into their daily lives and respects ancestors, nature, and animals.

Yucca Blade

A plant from the agave family with stiff swordlike leaves and spikes of white bell-shaped flower.

References

33

Bassman, Theda, and Gene Balzer. Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers. N.p.: Schiffer Pub., 1991.

Branson, Arthur T. Hopi Kachina Dolls. Tucson, AZ: Treasure Chest Publications, 1992.

Colton, Harold S. Hopi Kachina Dolls with a Key to their Identification. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1959.

Fewkes, Jesse Walter. “Hopi Kacinas Drawn by Native Artists.” 21st Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology; 3-126. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1903.

Fewkes, Jesse Walter. “Tusayan Katcinas.” 15th Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology.

Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1897.

Greenfield, Trevor. The Goddess in America The Divine Feminine in Cultural Context. Moon Books, 2016.

Hodge, Gene Meany. Kachina Tales from the Indian Pueblos. N.p.: Sunstone, 1993. Print.

Teiwes, Helga, and Forman Hanna. Kachina Dolls: The Art of Hopi Carvers. N.p.: U of Arizona, 1998. Print.

Wright, Barton, and Andrea Portago. Classic Hopi and Zuni Kachina Figures. N.p.: Museum of New Mexico, 2006. Print.