“KACHINA: the word qatsina means literally "life bringer”,and can be anything that exists in the natural world or cosmos. A kachina can represent anything from a revered ancestor, to an element, a location, a quality, a natural phenomenon, or a concept. There are more than 400 different kachinas in Hopi and Pueblo culture. The local pantheon of kachinas varies in each pueblo community; there may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, and many other concepts. Kachinas are understood as having humanlike relationships; they may have uncles, sisters, and grandmothers, and may marry and have children. Although not worshipped, each is viewed as a powerful being who, if given veneration and respect, can use their particular power for human good, bringing rainfall, healing, fertility, or protection, for example.“
“KACHINA: the word qatsina means literally "life bringer”,and can be anything that exists in the natural world or cosmos. A kachina can represent anything from a revered ancestor, to an element, a location, a quality, a natural phenomenon, or a concept. There are more than 400 different kachinas in Hopi and Pueblo culture. The local pantheon of kachinas varies in each pueblo community; there may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, and many other concepts. Kachinas are understood as having humanlike relationships; they may have uncles, sisters, and grandmothers, and may marry and have children. Although not worshipped, each is viewed as a powerful being who, if given veneration and respect, can use their particular power for human good, bringing rainfall, healing, fertility, or protection, for example.“
“This is an illustration of the Crow Mother, the Hopi mother of all Kachinas and giver of new life. This is a future take on the Crow Mothers vision. See and changing reality.”
“This katsina appears in the Home Dance or Niman Ceremony. No other katsinas, neither clowns nor side dancers appear with the line of Hemis except the Hemis Manas. It is interesting to note that at Hopi, they refer to the Hemis Katsina as having come from the Rio Grande Jemez Pueblo of New Mexico. At Jemez Pueblo, they refer to a similar dance as a Hopi dance.”
“Pueblo, Hopi (Native American). Kachina Doll (Hahaii), late 19th century.”
(crow mother)
“Angwusnasomtaqa is the beloved "Crow Mother”. She is generous and kind as her tray of gifts shows, but also in the tray she carries sharp yucca swords just in case. She sings beautifully, first from a great distance, then closer at the kiva entrance, completing her part by beginning the annual Powamuy ceremony.”
“Great Polychrome Kachina Jar
by Mark Tahbo”
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The Koyemsi, or Mudhead Kachina, is a clown who may be seen in most Hopi ceremonies. Mudhead Kachinas drum, dance, play games with the audience, and may act as announcers for events. They often give prizes or rewards for the races and guessing games they organize. The term "mudhead” comes from their masks which have mud applied to them.
Most of the time they accompany other kachina; probably the only time when they do not appear with other personages is during the Night Dances. Koyemsi are usually the ones that play games with the audience to the accompaniment of rollicking tunes. These games are generally guessing games or simple attempts to balance objects of performances of some common act and the rewards are prizes of food or clothing.“
“The seven major religious fetes which occur annually have many common features. The aim of all of them is to produce rain, and with it fertility and growth, for agriculture is the foundation of their livelihood, as with other primitive peoples. Each of these rites is conducted by one or more of the chiefs whose positions are hereditary. The sunrise on each of the ceremonial days is heralded by a public announcement, and the ceremonies are comprised of eight days of secret rites followed on the ninth day by a public dance.
At the time of the celebration of the Farewell of the Kachinas in July or August, the dolls are presented to the children, who play with them or hang them on the wall to remind them of the religious personages whom they represent and to add to the decoration of the room.”
