kachina
Ancestral desert deity
Kachina refers to spirit beings in Hopi and Pueblo religious traditions, representing ancestors, natural forces, and cosmic entities.
The term also applies to masked dancers who embody these spirits in ceremonies, and to the carved wooden dolls depicting them: kachina dolls are collected as folk art.
The dolls traditionally served to teach children about the spirits.
Pueblo people of Arizona
- ZuniNative southwestern pueblo-dwellers
- SouthwestArid American expanse
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- Arizona48th state admitted
village · clan · society · secret · sacred · tradition · oral · teaching
Small ornamental sculpture
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- cottonwoodFluffy-seeded deciduous tree
- handcraftedMade manually, not machined
- collectibleObject worth amassing
miniature · sculpture · painted · feathered · teaching · gift · representation · effigy
Rhythmic bodily movement
- plazaPublic open square
- maskedHaving face covered
- impersonatorOne who copies others
- costumeClothing for portrayal
regalia · feathers · rattle · sash · kilt · moccasins · body-paint · procession
Worshipped supernatural being
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- messengerOne who delivers communications
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
prayer · intercession · benevolent · sacred · invisible · immortal · protective · seasonal
Starting point or source
- emergenceComing into existence
- underworldRealm of the departed
- clownComedic performer in makeup
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
hero · storytelling · narrative · legend · symbolism · meaning · interpretation · archetype
Study of human cultures
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- collectionGathered set of items
- museumPublic exhibit space
Smithsonian · Heard · study · research · publication · photograph · artifact · repatriation
Hopi
Pueblo people of Arizona
- ZuniNative southwestern pueblo-dwellers
- SouthwestArid American expanse
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
Arizona · village · clan · society · secret · sacred · tradition · oral · teaching · children
figurine
Small ornamental sculpture
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- cottonwoodFluffy-seeded deciduous tree
- handcraftedMade manually, not machined
collectible · miniature · sculpture · painted · feathered · teaching · gift · representation · effigy · artisan
dance
Rhythmic bodily movement
- plazaPublic open square
- maskedHaving face covered
- impersonatorOne who copies others
costume · regalia · feathers · rattle · sash · kilt · moccasins · body-paint · procession · seasonal
deity
Worshipped supernatural being
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- messengerOne who delivers communications
blessing · prayer · intercession · benevolent · sacred · invisible · immortal · protective · seasonal · returning
origin
Starting point or source
- emergenceComing into existence
- underworldRealm of the departed
- clownComedic performer in makeup
trickster · hero · storytelling · narrative · legend · symbolism · meaning · interpretation · archetype · supernatural
anthropology
Study of human cultures
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- collectionGathered set of items
museum · Smithsonian · Heard · study · research · publication · photograph · artifact · repatriation · controversy
- masksface mask, ceremonial masks, surgical mask, N95, ski mask
- Southwestmesa, Monument Valley, Arizona, New Mexico, Grand Canyon
- Southwest Desertsaguaro, saguaro cactus, Sonoran Desert, Sonoran, prickly pear
- wood carvingswoodcarving, carving, wood carving, wood spirit, totem poles
- cultural dollsRussian dolls, matryoshka, corn husk dolls, nesting dolls, worry dolls
- indigenous loanwordsmoccasin, tomahawk, totem, wigwam, kayak
kachinatoy
Object for amusement
plaything · commodity · trinket · knockoff · knickknack
kachinatourist souvenir
Memento from travels
knockoff · fake · counterfeit · imitation