KATSINA DOLLS
There
may be over two hundred fifty Katsinas known to the Hopi Indians of Arizona,
they appear on the Hopi Mesa’s on a seasonal basis, starting from December
through July. On the Third Mesa, Qoqole’s first arrive in December to "open"
up the kivas for more Katsinas to come, they bring with them their comical
behavior and crops from the past harvest. Soon after, night dances are
followed, starting from January through March. Katsina day dances are held
from March through July, ending with the Home dance. The Katsinas are then
returned back to their homes at the San Francisco Peaks, Kisiau and Waynemai.
Katsinas
are supernatural beings to the Hopis, they are manifested as messengers
from the spiritual world. Friends and visitors to the Hopi people,
they bring gifts and food. Upon returning to their homes they are prayed
to for prosperous life, bountiful harvest, rain and good health. They are
believed to be supernatural beings in spirits of good people who have once
lived a good life and have returned in various Katsina manifestations.
They
represent various beings, from animals to clouds. They are believed to
be in some form of hierarchy, a form of kingdom. There are chief Katsinas,
Eototo and Aloha, He-e-e is the female leader to the Warrior Maiden Katsina,
in these warrior Katsinas there are also colonels that lead them; Ewirzo
is one of them. Ewirzo only appears in Katsina day dances, a ritual to clowns,
along with other warrior Katsinas. Some Katsinas bring messages, such as
cooperation, behaviors of individuals and the consequences of their behaviors.
Kwak-kwai! (“Thank you" in
Hopi.) - Harry Nutumya - Old Oraibi, AZ
About Hopi Katsina and Hopi Kachina
Author
and museum photographer at Arizona State Museum, Helga Teiwes in her book
about Kachinas explains it this way. To the Hopi, it takes spiritual strength
to overcome their difficulties and adversities, and to encourage growth
and fertility in their crops. They gain this strength through a series
of complex religious ceremonies and prayers to their deities. They must
approach these many deities through intermediaries they call "Katsinam."
These are the live figures that dress in appropriate costumes, and dance
and act in the social and religious rituals (Katsina refers to the spirit
itself, plural is Katsinam.) The Hopi call effigies of the spirits “Kachina
dolls”.
The
Hopi call themselves "Hopíitu." This translates to "the friendly
people," or "the peaceful people."
1 - Sun
Katsina
2 - Mouse
Katsina
3 - Corn
Dancer or Gambler
4 – Cricket
Katsina
5 – Mudhead
6 – Squirrel
Katsina
7 – Heoto
Mana
8 – Rainbow
Katsina
9 – Cloud
Katsina
10 – Eagle
Katsina
11 -
Navajo Night Chant Yeibichai (Hopi)
This kachina is intended
as a replica of the Navajo Talking God, the leader of the Yeibichai dancers
who wear masks of the Yei and appear in the ninth and last night of the
Navajo's Nightway healing ceremony. The Hopi stage a Navajo Kachina Dance
on First and Third Mesas, led by this kachina. The corn plant in the center
of the mask signifies life and a prayer for a rich harvest.
12 – Mountain
Lion Katsina
Navajo
(Diné) Kachina
The Navajo make Kachinas
which are mostly depictive of Hopi Deities but they also make “yei bi chi's”
which are depictive of their own prayer warriors. (Shown are yei bi chi
dancers.)
Ye bi chi is a major
winter curing ceremony that can be held only after the snakes are asleep
and there is no longer a danger of lightning.
Especially important is the initiation of the children on the eighth day
of the ceremony by showing them the secret of the masked gods. Here they
learn that the dress is symbolic of their gods and performance is very
important to their heritage. Adults often take part in this ritual for
its necessary for each Navajo to participate in the initiation ceremony
four times during their lifetime.
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