 | To the Hopi Indians of northeastern Arizona, it is essential to preserve harmony with the world around them, not only with man and other animals but with objects in nature such as rocks, clouds, sky, etc., which the Hopi believe to be possessed of life. The very complex Hopi religion reflects this respect for nature. At Left: The Tawa kachina, or Sun Kachina,a representative of the spirit of the sun. At Left: The Tawa kachina, or Sun Kachina,a representative of the spirit of the sun. | | | | One aspect of the Hopi religion is the Kachina Cult, which is the subject of these images on this page, illustrated with the paintings by Cliff Bahnimptewa that originally appeared in Kachinas: A Hopi Artist's Documentary, by Barton Wright. This volume, initially released in 1973 by Northland Publishing in conjunction with the world-renowned Heard Museum, is a comprehensive guide to the Hopi kachinas. | | | Above: Koyemsi, or Mud-Head, kachinas are probably the best know of the Hopi kachinas. They appear in almost every Hopi ceremony as clowns, interlocutors, announcers of dances, drummers, and many other roles. Koyemsi are usually the ones that play games with the audience to the accompaniment of rollicking tunes. | | | | | | The Kachina Cult has been described as a common denominator in Hopi religion. Nearly every Hopi takes part in it. Hopi kachinas are supernaturals, embodying the spirits of living thins and also the spirits of ancestors who have died and become a part of nature. Because the kachinas embody these spirits, they are the spiritual guardians of the Hopi people and their way of life. And because then can insure human, animal, and plant fertility, they insure life itself. | | Above: Whenever the Deer or Antelope kachinas dance in the plaza, another kachina is very frequently seen with them -- the wolf Kachina (Kweo). He is their side dancer, and the stick he holds in his hands is said to represent trees and bushes that he hides behind as he watches them. | | | | | The kachinas occupy much of the Hopi ceremonial year. They distribute food and blessings, accept prayers, provide entertainment, and reflect many features of Hopi life such as the Hopi family - the kachinas have family relationships, shown by the presence of the kachina women, Kachin-mana, who are sisters or wives of the male dancers. Thus, entertainment, discipline, teaching, explanations of nature, and reflections of the Hopi past all blend together in the Kachina Cult. | | | Above: Kwahu. Occasionally, in one of the night ceremonies in March or during the Powamu, one may have the satisfaction of seeing a performance of the Eagle kachina. Usually the personator imitates the step or motion and cry of the eagle to absolute perfection. | | | | The illustrations on this page were painted by Cliff Bahnimpewa. Paintings copyright ©1973 by the Heard Musuem. For information about the kachinas you can find at the Hon Dah House Gallery contact them via e-mail at hondah@c2i2.com Call toll free at 1-800-397-6034. |
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