Dane G. Hansen Museum
Logan, KS
(785) 689-4846
Hopi Katsina Dolls
From the KU Museum of Anthropology
"They serve as intermediaries
between the Hopi and their gods, carrying their prayers for rain, fertility,
health, and well-being." The Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum is very
excited to bring western Kansas, a unique exhibit orf 81 Hopi katsina dolls.
The dolls on exhibit, November 12, 1999 through January 9, 2000, will be
arranged according to the order of their ceremonial appearance.
During this
century, katsina dolls have become popular collector's items, and today
they rank among the most desirable of Hapi hand-crafted artistic creations.
Each of the estimated 300-400 katsinam (plural for katsina) has characteristic
behaviors, functions, and regalia. The Hopi call these spiritual helpers
their "friends." Miniature representations of the dolls are carved
from cottonwood roots and given to uninitiated girls during katsina ceremonies.
As inferred from the findings of archaeological research, since at least
the 14th century, the religious practices of the Hopi, Native Americans
of Arizona, have involved ceremonies that focus on the spiritual beings
known as the "katsina." Although the spelling kachina is frequent
in the literature, this exhibition will use katsina, as a closer equivalent
to Hopi pronunciation and the spelling preferred by most Hopis.
The overview of Hopi katsinam presented in this exhibition
is drawn from extensive literature on the Hopi, dating from before the turn
of the century to the present. During this period, many changes have occurred
in Hopi religious practices, details of which are not reflected in this
exhibition. Older katsinam have gone out of vogue, while newer katsinam
have appeared. The conveniences of modern technology and goods are also
a part of contemporary katsina ceremonies. Despite these changes, confidence
in the katsinam and participation in katsina ceremonies have continued as
a basic component of the Hopi way.
See also:
- Columbia Encyclopedia
reference
- Hakowi Tribe
remarks
- Sheryl
Susunkewa's Hopi Kachina Doll web page
- Pong
Kachina, Aha Kachina, and Hilili Kachina from ArtsEdNet
- The University
of Arizona Press
- Interview
with Aaron Yava, Hopi Kachina Maker & Artist
- The
Hopi and the Kachina Cult from University of Michigan
- UNLV
Marjorie Barrick Museum article
- Harvard University
(Peabody Museum) article
Read more about the Dane
G. Hansen Museum in the Resource
Library
Revised 11/12/99
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During this
century, katsina dolls have become popular collector's items, and today
they rank among the most desirable of Hapi hand-crafted artistic creations.
Each of the estimated 300-400 katsinam (plural for katsina) has characteristic
behaviors, functions, and regalia. The Hopi call these spiritual helpers
their "friends." Miniature representations of the dolls are carved
from cottonwood roots and given to uninitiated girls during katsina ceremonies.
As inferred from the findings of archaeological research, since at least
the 14th century, the religious practices of the Hopi, Native Americans
of Arizona, have involved ceremonies that focus on the spiritual beings
known as the "katsina." Although the spelling kachina is frequent
in the literature, this exhibition will use katsina, as a closer equivalent
to Hopi pronunciation and the spelling preferred by most Hopis.