Kachinas and Art is Important to Everyday Life of Hopi Indians

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Recommended: Artistic practices among tribal groups

The Hopi Indians use art in their everyday life from woven rugs to clay pots. Art is a very important aspect of the tribe’s life and each piece is said to have a story behind it. The Hopi tribe even has dances said to bring luck and prosper to the community. They also have a very unique piece of art that ties directly to their religion, kachinas mask and dolls.

Kachinas are spirits and gods of the Hopi tribes. During the winter solstice until the ripening of corn these spirits are said to reside within the tribe. Throughout this seven month time span they are represented though mask and dolls, each mask will represent a different Kachina spirit or god. They will hold ceremonies in which men, and sometimes women, will wear these mask and costumes and preform dances for the tribe.

Apart from the mask the Hopi tribe also uses another form to represent the kachinas, a wooden doll. Traditionally carved from cotton wood root, the wooden dolls are inspired from the dancers and given to children after the public ceremony. Kachina dolls can be a variety of things from Mudheads to Butterf...

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