What is a Kachina?

    To survive in a waterless land, the Hopi developed a complex religion to secure supernatural assistance in fulfilling their needs. Kachinas are the spirit essence of everything in the real world. Their essence is inferred from the steam which rises from food and whose loss does not change the form of the food, to the mist rising from a spring on a cold morning or the cloud which forms above the mountaintop.

    Kachinas are not deities, but supernatural beings who dwell in an invisible world until the are given form in the parallel human world. At appointed times during the winter, spring and summer, Hopi Men from age 10 don elaborate costumes and masks to impersonate their kachina counterparts. In the process, the kachina is believed to inhabit its human representative.

    There are more than 200 kachina characters who possess characteristics of real life personalities or repesent plants or animals. The ceremony offers the children a real-life connection with the kachina spirits. Kachinas give the little girls kachina dolls as a remembrance of the ceremony and to help her remember the messages of the kachinas.

    Carved from the roots of the cottonwood tree (the roots are what draws life-giving moisture), Kachinas can be classified in the following partial list:

Ogres of many types: Discipline the community and naughty children (teacher's favorite) 

Bears and badgers: Best at healing(doctor's favorite) 

Eagle: A protector 

Animals: Many are hunters - also healers 

Warriors : Ewiro, Ahote, and many, many others 

Clowns: Koshari, Hano clowns, Koyemsi (mudheads), etc. 

Chief : Eototo and Aholi, his lieutenant 

Plants, birds, characters of other tribes (to draw thier powers), etc. 



 
 
 
  

Hon (Bear Kachina)

Bear Kachinas are believed to be very powerful 
and like the Badger Kachina he is considered a 
great doctor for he possesses the knowledge of 
all the herbs and roots and there use to cure bad illness. He is also a great warrior. 

This painting depicts the Bear Kachina with their animal counterpart signifying their oneness in spirit. 
Kweo (Wolf Kachina) 

The spirit of Kweo stands amidst his early 
brothers. Like the Wolves he is a warrior and 
knows the ways of danger and possesses great 
prowess as a hunter. 

To the Hopi the Wolf Kachina, as well as other 
animal Kachinas are considered their closest 
neighbors and are their advisors, doctors and assistants. 
Crow Mother Kachina 

Crow Mother is one of the Mong (Chief Kachinas). Besides being mother to the Hu’, 
she is also considered to be the mother of all Kachinas. 
White Buffalo 

There are many legends about the White Buffalo. Among the Plains Indians the White Buffalo is an important symbol. At 6:00 am on Aug. 20, 1994 a White Buffalo was born in south central Wisconsin.
It is believed among many that this birth of the 
White Buffalo symbolizes the coming together of humanity into a spirit of oneness. 
Mongwu (Owl Kachina) 

The Mongwu appears in the Mixed Kachina Dance 
or ordinary Kachina Dance where he keeps the 
Clowns in line with his yucca whips. He also takes 
part in the Bean dance and the Water Serpent ceremony on the First Mesa. 
Kwahu (Eagle Kachina) 

The Eagle Kachina appears in the repeat dance in March and sometimes with the Mudheads during 
night ceremonies. His dance motions of the eagle 
are a prayer for an increase of eagles. As with 
other Bird Kachinas, he assists the Hopi in many 
endeavors including advice and council. 

thank you for stopping by.

©SheoWolf