The Hopi people trace their ancestry to the Anasazi people and live on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. Their religion, called "The Hopi Way", focuses on respecting ancestors and nature through ceremonies honoring kachinas. Kachina dolls are representations of kachina spirits made of wood with painted clothes and accessories to teach children about Hopi culture. Their intricate creation process involves carving, painting, and crafting special outfits. Key kachinas like Ahola, Ahol Mana, and Soyal mark important ceremonies throughout the year.

1. Relationship to Earth and Sky
The Hopi People: Kachina Dolls
By: Gilda Haro-Mejia

2. Who are the Hopi People?
The Hopi people trace back their
ancestry to the HIsat-Sinom, or as
they are more commonly known, the
Anasazi. Just like their ancestors,
the Hopi culture is well known for
their agricultural skills as well as for
their basket making. Currently,
large majority of them live on the
Hopi Reservation in Arizona
(Schaefer).
Map provided by: Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and
Daily Life, 2nd Edition

3. Hopi Religion
“The Hopi Way” are the set of spiritual
guidelines, rules, and ceremonies that the
Hopi people abide by. This belief system
keeps this world in harmony. Most of the
rituals that take place are to honor their
ancestors, to have successful harvests, for
plentiful rain, and to show respect to
kachinas or katsinas. Kachinas are not gods,
instead they are a go-between for the Hopi
people and the natural world (Gall & Hobby).
The image (right) depicts a coming of age ceremony for a
young lady. COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Ellen French and Richard
C. Hanes

4. What are Kachina Dolls?
This image depicts one of many kachina dolls. COPYRIGHT 2010 ABC-CLIO, LLC
Kachina dolls are made by Pueblo people including, the
Zuni and Hopi People. It is not known when doll making
became common practice though dolls have been found that
date from the mid 1800s.
These dolls are representations of the kachina spirits.
They are made for ceremonies and then given to the
children so that may learn the costume, mask, and markings
of each kachina. Learning each kachina is very important to
the Hopi culture so very special attention to detail is placed
when making each doll (Barrett & Markowitz).

5. How Are They Made?
The process of making a kachina doll
starts by selecting the proper tree.
Traditionally, Hopi artists would
gather the roots of the cottonwood
tree for carving. Each doll is carved
carefully and special attention is paid
to details. After the carving is
completed; minerals, and pigments
from flowers were used to carefully
paint each doll. Since kachina dolls
are often collected, natural pigments
are no longer used. Acrylic and
tempera paint are more regularly
used (Wright).
The image above shows two Hopi men making kachina dolls. Photo
provided by American Indian Culture by Barrett & Markowitz.

6. How Are They Made?
After the paint is applied, the clothes for the
kachina are selected. Every article of
clothing is specially made for an individual
doll. Leather, cotton, and even silk are used
to make the clothing. Often times their attire
is further enhanced with embroidery or paint.
Lastly, accessories are added if needed,
depending on the kachina being depicted.
Some require tools, others use feathers;
however the practice of using feathers is no
longer in use due to the protection of eagles
(Wright).
A collection of kachina dolls. Photo credit: Barton Wright

7. Key Kachinas
Ahola
For the First and Second Mesa, Ahola is an
important kachina. This notable kachina starts the
Powamu ceremony, or as it is sometimes called, the
Bean Planting Ceremony. He visits each kiva
(ceremonial room) and other places of worship.
Once completed, he then bows to the sun, asks for
blessings on his children, and for a successful
harvest (Wright).
Painting of Ahola, Chief kachina by: Cliff Bahnimptewa

8. Key Kachinas
Ahol Mana
Ahol Mana is a female kachina that visits each
kiva with Ahola. She holds the bean sprouts that
Ahola hands out to each kiva. In the painting she
is seen with traditional wedding attire but she is
not usually depicted with those specific clothing
on the Second Mesa (Wright).
Painting of Ahol Mana by: Cliff Bahnimptewa

9. Key Kachinas
Soyal
The painting depicts the kachina, Soyal. This
kachina is specifically for the Third Mesa. He
is shown here with hunting tools and hunting
attire. Soyal’s presence announces the
beginning of the Winter Soltice (Wright)
Painting of Soyal by: Cliff Bahnimptewa

10. Conclusion
Kachina dolls can be found in books,
history texts, and in museums. There
are also a number of private collectors
that have them on display. The Hopi
Reservation is in Arizona and they
incredibly welcoming of guests.
Photo by Barton Wright, Hopi Kachina: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina
Dolls

11. Conclusion
The moment I saw one of these kachina dolls, I became
intrigued. Later I learned the amount of time,
dedication, and attention to detail required to make
even one of these kachina dolls. The great lengths that
are made to collect materials such as the wood or the
paint needed is remarkable. It shows the artistic ethic
that the Hopi people have. Though the Hopi people may
not see themselves as artists, they are indeed.
These are not just dolls; they are a physical
manifestation of the beliefs of the Hopi people.
Photo by Barton Wright, Hopi Kachina: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina
Dolls

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Gall, Timothy L. and Hobby, Jeneen., “Hopi.” Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. 2nd Ed. Vol 2. 2009.
287-292. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 12 Apr. 2014
Leeming, David A. Creation Myths of the World. Vol. 1: Parts I-II. 2nd
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COPYRIGHT 2010 ABC-CLIO, LLC. Image.
Lehman, Jeffery. Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America. Vol. 2. 2nd
ed. Detroit: Gale, 2000. p853-865. COPYRIGHT
2000 Gale Ellen French and Richard C. Hanes. Image.
Schaefer, Richard T., “Hopi.” Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity, and Society. Vol 2. Thousand Oaks, Ca: SAGE
Publications, 2008. 652-654. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 12 Apr. 2014
Wright, Barton. Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls. Flagstaff, AZ. Northland Publishing,
1977. 9-18. Web. 23 Apr 2014
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