Hopi Kachina Dolls are effigies made of cottonwood that embody the characteristics of the ceremonial Kachina

Kachina

A kachina is a spirit being in western Pueblo cosmology and religious practices. The western Pueblo, Native American cultures located in the southwestern United States, include Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village , Acoma Pueblo, and Laguna Pueblo. The kachina cult has spread to more eastern Pueblos, e.g....

, the masked spirits of the Hopi

Hopi

The Hopi are a federally recognized tribe of indigenous Native American people, who primarily live on the Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The Hopi area according to the 2000 census has a population of 6,946 people. Their Hopi language is one of the 30 of the Uto-Aztecan language...

 Native American tribe. According to the Hopi, Kachina dolls are objects meant to be treasured and studied, and are not to be considered idols of worship or children’s toys.

Cultural Context

The Hopi people live primarily on three mesas in Northeastern Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

, about 70 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...

. The Hopi believe that the majority of spirits (Kachinas) reside on the Humphreys Peak

Humphreys Peak

Humphreys Peak is the highest natural point in the U.S. state of Arizona, with an elevation of and is located within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness in the Coconino National Forest, about north of Flagstaff, Arizona. Humphreys Peak is the highest of a group of extinct volcanic peaks known as the...

, approx. 60 miles West of Hopi lands. Each year, throughout the period from winter solstice

Winter solstice

Winter solstice may refer to:* Winter solstice, astronomical event* Winter Solstice , former band* Winter Solstice: North , seasonal songs* Winter Solstice , 2005 American film...

 to mid-July, these spirits, in the form of Kachinas, come down to the villages to dance and sing, to bring rain for the upcoming harvest, and to give gifts to the children.

The Kachinas are known to be the spirits of deities, natural elements or animals, or the deceased ancestors of the Hopi. Prior to each Kachina ceremony, the men of the village will spend days studiously making dolls in the likeness of the Kachinam represented in that particular ceremony. The dolls are then passed on to the daughters of the village by the Giver Kachina during the ceremony. Following the ceremony, the dolls are hung on the walls of the pueblo and are meant to be studied in order to learn the characteristics of that certain Kachina. Edward Kennard, co-author of Hopi Kachinas, says concerning the purpose of the kachina doll, “Essentially it is a means of education; it is a gift at dance-time; it is a decorative article for the home, but above all it is a constant reminder of the Kachinas.”

History of the Kachina Doll

Except for major ceremonial dolls, most kachina dolls were invented in the late 19th century. The oldest known doll dates back from the 18th century - it was merely a flat object with an almost indistinguishable shape that suggested a head and contained rudimentary body paint. Kachina dolls are generally separated into four stylistic periods: the Early Traditional, Late Traditional, Early Action, and Late Action periods.

Early Traditional (1850–1910)

The most primitive forms of the kachina doll belonged to the Early Traditional Period. Only one piece of cottonwood root was used to carve the body, although facial features made from varying sources were occasionally glued on. The dolls were no longer than 8-10 inches and only somewhat resembled human proportions. Their surfaces were not as smooth as in later periods, and the paint was made of non water-resistant mineral and vegetable pigments. The dolls in this period were stiff and only meant to be hung on the wall after ceremonies. Starting around 1900, the dolls began to have a more naturalistic look to them as a result of the white man’s interest and trade. The price of dolls in this period was on average about $0.25 (adjusted for today’s currency).

Late Traditional (1910–1930)

During the Late Traditional Period subtle changes began to take place towards the creation of more realistic–looking dolls. They were more proportional and the carving and painting was much more detailed. Eastern tourist attraction to the Hopi reservation increased in popularity from 1910-1920 due to the increased interest in Native American culture. The elders restricted the tourists from seeing the religious Kachina ceremonies, and consequently there was a notable decline in doll production for commercial purposes.

Early Action (1930–1945)

In the beginning of the twentieth century, oppressive agents such as Charles Burton tried to restrict the Hopi’s religious and cultural rights. However in 1934, due to the Indian Reorganization Act

Indian Reorganization Act

The Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 the Indian New Deal, was U.S. federal legislation that secured certain rights to Native Americans, including Alaska Natives...

, the Hopi people got back their religious freedom, and this thus renewed their interest in kachina doll carving. The dolls began to have a slightly different look than that of the stiff dolls from earlier periods. The arms were starting to become separated from the body and the heads became slightly overturned, putting the dolls in more of an action pose. Commercial and poster paints were used and the costumes became more organic, as some of the dolls were dressed in real clothing instead of clothing that was merely painted on. The average price of a doll during this period was about $1 an inch.

Late Action (1945 – present)

The Late Action period of kachina dolls contains the most variations of carvings than any other period. Most dolls of this period display realistic body proportions and show movement, which are distinguishing features of this period. The costumes in this period are more detailed and in the 1960s, carvers began to attach bases to the dolls in order to appeal to the tourists who didn’t want to hang the dolls on their walls. In the 1970s the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty banned the selling of Kachina dolls that carried any exotic bird feathers from birds such as eagles, parakeets, domestic fowl, pheasant or quail. As a result, the feathers of the dolls would be carved into the wood, which led to a new brand of Hopi art – the kachina sculpture. As the dolls became more extravagant and the consumer demand went up, the prices of dolls also rose significantly. Prices today range on average from $500 to $1,000, and it is not unusual to see a doll up to $10,000.

Kachina Dolls Today

Most Hopi manufacturers today that sell dolls do it for trade and do not necessarily make dolls that reflect authentic kachinam. Kachina ceremonies are still held, but have to now be scheduled around the men’s jobs, schools, and businesses and are usually held on weekends. The dolls today are much more exquisite than those of the past and are very expensive. Women carvers are becoming more common, making miniature dolls that are especially popular in the trade.

The Heard Museum

Heard Museum

The Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art is a museum located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. There is also the Heard Museum North Scottsdale branch in Scottsdale and the Heard Museum West branch in Surprise....

 in Phoenix, Arizona and the Southwest Museum

Southwest Museum

The Southwest Museum of the American Indian is a museum, library, and archive located in the Mt. Washington area of Los Angeles, California. It is part of the Autry National Center. Its collections deal mainly with the American Indian...

 in Los Angeles are now home to the finest collections of Hopi kachina dolls in the United States.

General Features

There are four generally accepted forms of the kachina doll; each form is meant to represent a different stage of postnatal development.

1) Putsqatihu – these dolls are made specifically for infants; these are simply flat figures that contain enough characteristics of the kachina so it is identifiable.

2) Putstihu taywa’yla – these dolls have flat bodies and three dimensional faces that are generally meant for toddlers.

3) Muringputihu – these dolls have cylindrical bodies, fully carved heads, and are meant specifically for infant girls.

4) Tithu – the traditional, full bodied kachina doll that is given to Hopi girls aged two and up at Hopi ceremonies. These dolls represent the final stage of postnatal development.

In addition to these traditional forms, a modern variation is now being created: the miniature kachina doll. These are mostly created by Hopi women, are only produced for trade, and are not considered kachina dolls in the true sense.

Facial Features

There are two types of kachina doll eyes: painted eyes, which can be round, rectangular, pot-hooks, or half-moons, and pop eyes, which are carved of wood and then attached to the doll.

Additionally, there are two types of doll mouths. The first is the painted mouth, which can be either rectangular, triangular, or crescent shaped. The other is the carved mouth, of which there is either a horizontal mouth with a wide or narrow beard, a beak that is turned up or down, a tube or a short snout.

On the doll’s head one will find either bird wings, ears (which are typically large and red), corn-husk flowers, hair, feathers, or horns. The horns can either be pseudo horns or real animal horns.

The noses are rarely realistic-looking, except when they are carved into the wood. Some kachinas also have beards of feathers or red-dyed horse hair.

Costumes and Accessories

There are several common costumes on kachina dolls. Typical male costumes include:

1) A white kilt, brocaded sash, belt, fox skin, and no shirt

2) White shirt and kilt

3) Kilt and ceremonial robe

4) A “white man’s” suit

5) Velvet shirt, white trousers, red leggings

6) Fox skin hanging from belt

Common female costumes include:

1) A ceremonial robe worn as a dress and a shawl

2) A Navajo dress

3) Eagle feather skirt

4) Black woolen dress, red belt, and a white shawl with red and blue bands

Kachina dolls can also carry accessories that are associated with what their respective Kachinam will carry during the ceremonial dances. Dolls are portrayed with accessories including hand rattles made from gourds, bows and arrows, branches of Douglas fir, staffs, scissors, crooks with children, and colored corn. Sometimes, to hide the space between the body and the mask, ruffs made of fox skin, juniper branches, Douglas fir, or cloth will we worn. In addition, headdresses are sometimes worn on the heads of the dolls. Common doll headdresses include maiden-whorls on the sides of the head, an eagle feather on the mask, or a tripod of sticks worn on top of the head.

Symbolism and Color

Every symbol, color, and design on a Hopi kachina doll has definite meaning in connection with Hopi religion, custom, history, and way of life. Animal tracks, bird tracks, celestial symbols, and vegetable symbols represent those particular spirits. Other symbols and their meanings are as follows:

• A pair of vertical lines under the eyes symbolizes a warrior’s footprints.

• An inverted “V” signifies certain kachina officials.

• Phallic symbols represent fertility.

Certain colors on the kachina dolls also have significant directional meanings:

• Yellow = north or northwest

• Blue-green = west or southwest

• Red = south or southeast

• White = east or northeast

• All the colors together = Zenith (heaven) and above

• Black = Nadir (the underworld) or down

How to Determine a Well-Made, Authentic Kachina Doll

This first sign of a fake kachina doll is if it is “garish or crudely made." An authentic kachina doll will have proper proportioning of the body and excessive detail. Hands must have separated fingers rather than tightly closed fists. Details in hair and accessories should be meticulously fashioned. The most valuable dolls are made from only one piece of wood; signs of glue on the figure indicate a poorly made doll. The price will usually reflect the quality, so if a doll seems significantly inexpensive, there is a good possibility it is not a true Hopi kachina doll.

Popular Kachina Dolls

There are well over 200 kachina dolls; however, almost no one can identify every single one, as each carver has a different idea as to the appearance and function of each Kachina. There are several popular ones with tourists and Hopi, however. Some of the more popular dolls are the Tasapkachina (Navajo Kachina), Angakchina (Long hair), Hote, and animal dolls such as Bear, Bird, and Mouse.

How To Make Kachina Dolls

The essential element of the kachina doll is the cottonwood root. It is favorite among all the other types of wood because of its density, its easiness to carve, and its durability. Finding an appropriate root is the most difficult part of the process, as it is becoming scarce throughout the years and requires about 4-6 inches in diameter in order to be made into a doll. Today, carvers may travel hundreds of miles looking for the perfect cottonwood root.

The particular steps in making a kachina doll differ from carver to carver, but the basic process is as follows:

1) The carver saws the cottonwood root to the length of the doll he has in mind.

2) He studies the root and carves the general form of the doll with a pocket or X-Acto knife

3) He then carves the particular details and characteristics of the doll

4) Next, the carver rubs the doll with sandstone for a smooth finish

5) He may also carve a headdress and other appendages with another piece of wood and then glue them onto the doll.

6) The carver then puts on an undercoat of kaolin or wood finish

7) Next, he applies a coat of paint. Different kinds of paints have been used throughout the years. In the early traditional period, organic materials were used for paint, such as carbonite for green, soot for black, and limonite for yellow. Tempera

Tempera

Tempera, also known as egg tempera, is a permanent fast-drying painting medium consisting of colored pigment mixed with a water-soluble binder medium . Tempera also refers to the paintings done in this medium. Tempera paintings are very long lasting, and examples from the 1st centuries AD still exist...

 and oil paints

Oil paint

Oil paint is a type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, commonly linseed oil. The viscosity of the paint may be modified by the addition of a solvent such as turpentine or white spirit, and varnish may be added to increase the glossiness of the...

have also been used in the past. Today poster paints are the most popular paint among carvers.

8) Finally, the carver will then attach decorations such as bird feathers and other accessories.