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About Native American Arts & Crafts
Types of Hopi Kachinas
- Chief Kachinas or Mongwi
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- The chief kachinas are called such because of
their importance to particular Hopi clans. These kachinas have spiritual roles which are
akin to that of the Hopi elders. Chief kachinas have a personal interest in the well being
of the clan which they are associated with and can only be portrayed in the dances by
specific members of the clan.
- Guard Kachinas or Tuwalakum
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- These kachinas are also called angry,warriors
or the watching kachinas. Their role in the dances can include guarding the ceremonies
from unwanted spectators to even guarding ceremonies from the unwanted influence of
other kachinas. You will often see them carrying yucca whips or even a weapon such as a
bow.
- Kachina Women or Momoyam
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- The kachina women represent the wives,
mothers, and sisters of the kachinas. While these kachina represent the female sex
they are still portrayed by Hopi males with the exception of the Pachavuin Mana which is
portrayed by a women. When a kachina is accompanied by a female the female kachina will be
named after him. So the female kachina accompanying a Shalako will be named Shalako Mana.
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- Clowns
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- The clowns serve to add levity to many of the
kachina ceremonies providing amusement to the audience. Often times their actions have an
underlying social statement or provide an example of undesired social behavior.
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- Runner Kachinas or Wawash
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- These kachinas stage races with the local Hopi
men. Should the man win he is often presented with piki bread but if he loses he
will usually endure some form of punishment. It is believed by some that the water will
run down the canyons relative to how the men run their races.
- Ogres
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- The Ogres are disciplinarians who appear
around the time of the Powamu Ceremony. The purpose of these kachinas is to
reinforce the Hopi way of life to the children of the Pueblo. The fierce and threatening
behavior of these kachinas strikes fear into the children but they are eventually saved
from imminent danger by the people of their pueblo.
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- Borrowed Kachinas
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- These kachinas are borrowed from other pueblos
usually for their perceived value of performing useful functions such as bringing rain.
During the process of adopting these kachinas they will either cross over intact or they
will under go changes more in line with Hopi beliefs and customs.
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- Animal Kachinas
- Mixed Kachinas
- Plant Kachinas
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