How to Make Hopi Kachina Dolls
The Kachina Doll (pronounced - kuh CHEE' nah) is a significant part of the Hopi religion. traditionally called tihu the dolls are not play things, but rather representations of Hopi spirits that are used as teaching aides for the benefit of the Hopi children. Each Kachina Doll is believed to also contain a portion of the power of the Kachina spirit it represents.
Traditionally, the Hopi Indian Kachina Doll is hand carved out of cottonwood root. The root of the cottonwood tree is light, sturdy, and perfect for carving. The Hopi artist begins with a rough log of cottonwood root and then begins to carve out the basic shape of the Kachina. Patiently and intricately, the Hopi artist carves finer and finer details into the doll. Once finished the doll is painted by hand with the traditional colors that are appropriate to the Kachina that is being depicted. There are over three hundred different Kachinas. So, the choice of color and detail is very important in the creation of a doll.
The Kachina season happens in the Hopi pueblo from late December to July. This is when ceremonies take place in which the men of the tribe will dress up as the Kachinas and perform dances in hopes of bringing rain, a good crop, health, and abundance. It is at these ceremonies when the Kachina dancers will give gifts of Kachina Dolls to all of the little Hopi children passing the Hopi tradition from one generation to the next.
These days, many Kachina Dolls are not created solely for the Hopi ceremonies but also for the sake of artistic expression. Many Hopi Indian Kachina Dolls stand alone as impressive works of art often selling to collectors for anywhere between $150 to $30,000!
Whether it's a spiritual guide or a highly collectible work of art the Hopi Indian Kachina Doll is an important piece of Hopi Indian culture. It has been a part of Hopi life for many years in the past and will continue to be for many years in the future.
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Steps on How to make a Hopi Kachina Doll
- Step 1
The Hopi Kachina Doll carver begins with a log of cottonwood root. - Step 2
The Basic form and pose of the Hopi Kachina Doll is cut out of the cottonwood root. - Step 3
Finer details are added to the Hopi Kachina Doll, such as feathers, rattles and yucca whips are made from a pieces of the same cottonwood root log. - Step 4
All parts of the Hopi Kachina Doll are brushed with a natural stain. - Step 5
The Hopi Kachina Doll carver intricately hand paints the traditional colors and details on the to Hopi Kachina Doll.
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