Hopi Kachina Dolls
High on the mesas in the arid land of northeastern Arizona live the Hopi, westernmost of the Pueblo people. A small, peaceful and friendly group, they have occupied their barren mesa tops and farmed their arid but fertile valleys for many centuries. Clinging tenaciously to their marginal land, they have withstood drought, famine and the onslaught of nomadic raiders. The pressure of Spanish domination, pestilence and, more recently, cultural inundation have diminished but not destroy their traditional pattern of life. The Hopi are bound together by their religion, a multi-stranded cord uniting them to withstand the hazards of a harsh environment and in rebuffing foreign incursions. Their religion is both their bulwark and the lure that attracts forces that would destroy them (Wright 1). Hopi traditions and lifestyles have not changed significantly over the years. To this day the Hopi Indians are still found where they have been found for many years. The Hopi have withstood great loss and disappointment, but have never lost their faith and union between each other. A major part of the Hopi life is their religious beliefs and ceremonies. Many of the religious ceremonies t
Wright, Barton. Ray Manleyıs Southwestern Indians Arts and Crafts. Tuscon: Ray Manley, 1975. Colton, Harold. Hopi Kachina Dolls. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1959. The San Francisco Peaks of northern Arizona are said to be the home of the supernatural beings of the Kachina. For six months of the year the supernatural beings return to the Hopi villages and take part in the seasonal ceremonies. These ceremonies are said to be able to bring about rain, wind and even sunshine (Wright 12). The Hopi Kachina calendar tells when and what ceremonies take place. The calendar time for how long the ceremonies take place is six months. Wright, Barton. Kachinas a Hopi Artsistıs Documentary. Flagstaff: Northland, 1973. The men who participate in these dances believe that when they are wearing the costume, body paint and mask that they lose their personal identity, and received the spirit of the Kachina they are supposed to represent (Bahti 10). The Hopi Kachina dancers have many different purposes. One of the main reasons for the Kachina dancers, is to bring the clouds. With the clouds comes the rain that is much needed for their crops. Along with clouds and rain, a successful dance will bring other important effects to the Hopi community. Some of those effects being, ³...promotes harmony in the universe and ensures health, long life and happiness for the people.² The Hopi Indians believe ³...that the prayers of the people will be conveyed by the Kachina to the gods² (Bahti 42). ³In a Kachina ceremony, the children are not supposed to recognize their fathers, uncles, or parentsı friends who are disguised by masks and elaborate costumes² (Colton 6). These spirits that the Hopi men represent can either be a good spirit or an evil spirit. Since it is a spirit that the Hopi men are impersonating there is no attempt at realism in the impersonations. The Hopi people believe that through a priest the prayers of the people are given to the Kachinas to carry to the gods. The priest who carries these prayers to the Kachinas is usually a old man not in costume during the ceremony (Bahti 11). From these Hopi males that impersonate the Kachinas the Kachina doll is formed. ³The Kachinas will also insure growth and abundance and, as always, bring moisture. They will bring discipline to some and give direction to all in proper behavior, but their greatest gift will be happiness, good health and a long life² (Colin 9). These are very important tasks that the Hopi Kachinas accomplish during the six months that they are present. The way that the Kachinas are able to accomplish these tasks is in a very unique way. ³Hopi Kachinas embody the spirits of living things and also the spirits of ancestors who have died and become a part of nature. Kachinas are believed to possess powers over nature, especially the weather, but higher gods limit the extent of their powers² (Colton 7). While the kivas are open and the Kachinas are present the Hopi Indian males have a lot of things going one. Since the supernatural beings of the Kachina can not be seen, the Hopi costumed impersonators impersonate the different Kachinas durin
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hopi Indians, Hopi Kachina, , Hopi Kachinas, Santa Claus, Kachinas Hopi, Zenith Black, Indians Arizona, Colorado River, Indians Kachinas, hopi indians, kachina doll, hopi kachina, kachina dolls, wright barton, hopi indians arizona, spirit kachina, supernatural kachina, indians arizona, santa claus, flagstaff northland, tom southwestern indian, bahti tom southwestern, roots cottonwood tree, 1994 wright barton,
Approximate Word count = 2135
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
