Doll "kachina" ·  Amérique du Nord, Hopi · ID: 3041946

Description

wood (from the root of the cottonwood tree), coated with white clay (kaolin), painted in black, pink and white, thin leather belt with fringes, holding feathers in the right hand, slightly dam., base;
“kachina” (“katsina”) are spiritual beings that have superhuman abilities. They assist in many different ways: they serve as messengers to the spirit world. They can control weather, bringing wind, sun and moisture in the form of rain or snow, they bless and offer seeds to the people, ensuring that germination will take place after planting, they also offer healing or medicine for physical ailments, and can alleviate stressful or anxiety-laden situations. The dolls are miniature versions of the “kachina”. They were given to young girls as special gifts. Hopi girls play with them but they are also used to encourage girls to prepare for motherhood. The little figures are hung by a string on the wall or from a ceiling beam and thus teach the children to distinguish between the many differnt types of “kachina”.