Kachinas (Katsinam)
Kachina (Katsina):
Kachinas are properly referred to as Katsina, or Katsinam plural. These specimens are 10″ hand carved wood, leather, feather & bead.
‘Butterfly Man’ by B. Lee 1995: Named for the beautiful butterflies that flutter around landing on flowers and herbs to direct the medicine man to ingredients that can be used for medicine. Also brings together unmarried men & women during the butterfly social dance, usually appearing as a pair, one male one female.
‘Coyote Clan’ by B. Lee 1995: The story goes something like this. Spiderwoman gave Coyote a pot to take care of. Coyote was not to look inside the pot. Coyote cared for the pot for some time, but was far too curious to not take a peek. So, he peeks inside the pot and the inside explodes like fireworks creating the universe. Upon exploding the blast gave the coyote his black nose, the stars on his face represent the stars in the sky and the long trailing headdress represents the tail of the great comet that Coyote freed that created the Universe.
‘Chasing Star’ by M. Brown 1995: (aka ‘Meteor’ aka ‘Planet’) Contemporary Hopi are vague as to his purpose when it appears in the mixed dance; however, the Chasing Star is considered a Guard Kachina whose duty is to surround the more sacred kachinas as a small but ferocious army of fearsome creatures. This unique doll represents the stars and planets. Legend has it that Aliens would come to visit and give advise on hunting and farming.
‘Dancing Warrior’ by M. Brown 1995: This guard Kachina is a warrior who dances furiously and represents swiftness and action.
‘Ogre Woman’ by M. Brown 1994: Her role is to teach discipline to the children. Children are taught that the Ogre will get them if they are not good.
‘Squirrel’ by M. Brown 1994: The Squirrel Kachina appears on all three mesas. During the Kiva Dances in winter he is supposed to challenge any woman to take from him anything that she thinks worth having. Squirrel has natural intelligence, is a saver, thus he Protects tribal reserves.