Kachina

( kuh - chin - uh )

A Kachina is an ancestral spirt in the religion of the pueblo Indians of present-day Arizona and New Mexico. In certain ceremonies Kachinas are impersonated by masked dancers wearing colorful costumes. They believe that when a person dies his or her ghost may be metamorphosed into a Kachina and live on as such in the afterworld. A particular Kachina does not, however, represent an individual ancestor but instead a generalized mythical conception. No one knows how many different Kachinas there are, but more than 250 have been identified. The Kachinas are believed to spend half of every year performing ceremonies and completing their mystical rituals to keep the earth and all of its components in a harmonious balance between good and evil. These Indian crafted Kachinas are considered representations of these Kachina spirts .

Eagle Dancer

One of the most favorite of all dancers is the Eagle. Dancing in the Mixed and Kiva in the early spring. He dances to imitate the motion of the eagle and prayer for many more eagles. In ceremonies the Eagle Dancer is treated as an honored guest and are given many presents.

Buffalo Warriors/Kneeling & Standing (White)

One summer, long ago, the seven sacred council fires of the Lakota Sioux came together and camped. The sun was strong and the people were starving for there was no game. Two young men went out to hunt. Along the way the two men met a beautiful young woman dressed in white who floated as she walked. One man had bad desires for the woman and tried to touch her, but was consumed by a cloud and turned into a pile of bones. The young woman spoke to the second young man and said, "Return to your people and tell them that I am coming." This holy woman brought a wrapped bundle to the people, she unwrapped the bundle giving to the people a sacred pipe and teaching them how to use it to pray. "With this holy pipe, you will walk like a living prayer," she said. The holy woman told the sioux about the value of the white buffalo the woman and the children. "You are from Mother Earth, What you are doing is as great as the warriors do." Before she left she told the people she would return. As she walked away, she rolled over four times, turning into a white female buffalo calf. It is said after that day the Lakota honored their pipe, and the buffalo were plentiful. Many believe that the buffalo calf, Miracle, born August 20, 1994 symbolizes the coming together of humanity into a oneness of heart, mind and spirit.

SUN KACHINA or TAWA KACHINA

This deity form of the Sun Kachina only dances in the regular Kachina dances with the average Kachinas. He is the representative of the sun, bringing about plenty of good weather for abundant crops. This Kachina never dances at the major ceremonial dances.

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