HOPI FULL-FIGURE KATSINAS

Katsina dolls are an important and cherished part of the Hopi culture.  These dolls are representations of one of the hundreds of Katsinam, or Hopi spirits who are believed to live primarily in the San Francisco Peaks of Arizona. They descend from the mountains as the winter season wanes to help villagers tend to the fields, care for the children, and tackle any other major task required to encourage the community and land to flourish. The Kachinas stay through late July when the planting and growing season has ended. At this time they take their leave of the Hopi tribes, and return to their home in the mountains of Arizona.

During the time that the Katsina are visiting the Hopi villages, numerous dances are held to both celebrate a particular natural event, or to simply remind the people of the village of the significant presence of the Katsinam, and the help the children learn about these sacred beings and what each of them represent. During these dances, the Hopi men will don costumes that represent an individual Katchina, which is represented by a specific color pattern and physical characteristics.

Full-figure Katsinas are carved, generally by a Hopi child’s uncle, to represent a specific Kachina and to help the child become acquainted with that particular spirit. These full-figure carvings, referred to as dolls, are carefully carved from the strong, light root of a cotton word tree and then painted with the particular colors of the specific Kachina the doll was meant to represent.

Kachina House carries beautiful, hand-carved full-figured Hopi Kachina dolls created by Native Southwestern American Indians. Each doll is shaped and painted according to spiritual and cultural traditions that have been passed down through many generations. The artists themselves take pride in their work and are pleased not only to display their work, but also to be able to share their culture with the rest of the world.

Located in Sedona, Arizona, Kachina House is the largest distributor of Native American Indian art and artifacts in the state.  For those unable to visit our 5,000 square foot showroom and warehouse in Sedona, we offer some of our favorite and best selling pieces here on our website. As you browse our collection of full-figure Kachina dolls, remember that we’re just a click away from fulfilling your individual or wholesale order. We also take special orders If you’re having a difficult time finding that perfect Kachina doll.