Welcome to the Kachina Page from Sunshine Studio - Santa Fe Indian Traders - with handmade Kachinas from Hopi Pueblo, Zuni Pueblo, and wood carvings from the Navajo Nation including Hano clown, Sio Hemis Kachina,  Owl Mother, Butterfly Maiden, Deer Dancer, Pookang Kwivi or War God Kachina, Wolf Kachina, Hoota or Side Dancer Kachina, Warrior or Whip Dancer Kachina, Rabbit Hunter or Whip Dancer Kachina, and Rain Dancer Kachina.

Hopi Kachinas

In the Hopi religion, everything in the world has two forms, the visible object and the spirit form. An example of the spirit form is the steam rising above hot food, which departs into the clouds without changing the form of the food. Kachina dolls are reincarnations of the spirit form returned from the clouds. The men of the Hopi tribe have more contact with the supernatural world than the women. "Tihu", or dolls in the Anglicized form, are given by the men who impersonate Kachinas to women in their family in order to increase their connection to the spiritual world. Tihu are definitely not playthings, but are a part of the spirit of the Kachina. When given to children, Kachina dolls are a part of their religious training. In recent times, these dolls have also become a highly collectible Hopi art form. To learn more, we suggest the paperback book "Hopi Kachinas: The complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls" by Barton Wright, Northland Publishing (1991), sold below.

In order to carve a Katsina, a Hopi person must belong to a certain society and has earned the right to carve the doll. Navajos do not and have not historically had any kind of society which would allow them to carve "Kachina" dolls. In fact unless one belongs to the Hopi society which allows Hopis to carve, anyone, even a Hopi who carves a so called Kachina doll who is not a member of the particular society is making a carving without the proper spiritual authority which renders that carving an evil thing tantamount to a voodoo doll.

Outsiders often fail to understand the meaning of Southwest Indian clowns. Koshari or variants of them may be found in most of the pueblos in New Mexico, as well as in the Hopi Mesas. They are figures that are both sacred and profane. Their actions, while highly amusing, are not what the Hopi or anyone else would like to be caught doing in public. They are the ultimate example of overdoing everything they set about. They are often pictured with a watermelons which connotes gluttony. To learn more, we recommend the book "Clowns of the Hopi" by Barton Wright, Northland Publishing (1994) sold below.

In many ways, the Hopi and Zuni are closer than any other pair of Pueblos in the Southwest. Their religions are based on a number of deities that are depicted in the form of dolls for the education of those who are not dancers. In hard times, some Hopis have moved in with the Zunis, and vice versa. Intermarriages are common, with the husband welcomed into the home of the bride and becoming a member of the bride's larger family. Both Hopis and Zunis have carved Kachina dolls for centuries. Zuni Kachinas representing the deities of Zuni carved by Zunis are considered Zuni, not Hopi, and are exempt from the Hopi religious taboos. Some Kachinas are common between Hopis and Zunis. An example is the Hopi Katsina "Rain Priest of the North," or Saiyatasha to the Zunis. There may be small differences between the Hopi and Zuni versions. Among the most valuable of all Kachina dolls are turn-of-the-century antique Kachinas from Zuni. This art form has nearly died out in Zuni, but a few persistent young Zunis are trying to revive Kachina carving. We believe that Zuni Kachina dolls are undervalued in today's market and recommend them to those looking for an inexpensive way to start a collection.

Certain Navajo carvings depict deities of the Navajo. An example is the Yebichai dancer carvings that are becoming quite popular. Unless you are confident that a Navajo carving represents a Navajo deity, the buyer should avoid these in favor of its Hopi or Zuni counterpart.

In the past, many Kachinas were decorated with feathers. Many of these feathers were from endangered species. Today, the feathers are carved from wood. We sell only Kachinas whose original feathers were removed and replaced with carved wood.

Kachinas of the Zuni

In many ways, the Hopi and Zuni are closer than any other pair of Pueblos in the Southwest. Their religions are based on a number of deities that are depicted in the form of dolls for the education of those who are not dancers. In hard times, some Hopis have moved in with the Zunis, and vice versa. Intermarriages are common, with the husband welcomed into the home of the bride and becoming a member of the bride's larger family. Both Hopis and Zunis have carved Kachina dolls for centuries. Among the most valuable of all Kachina dolls are turn-of-the-century antique Kachinas from Zuni. This art form has nearly died out in Zuni, but a few persistent young Zunis are trying to revive Kachina carving. We believe that Zuni Kachina dolls are undervalued in today's market and recommend them to those looking for an inexpensive way to start a collection.

For those wanting more information on Zuni Kachinas, we recommend Barton Wright's book, "The Kachinas of the Zuni". This book is lavishly illustrated by Duane Dishta, and is valuable as a collection of Duane Dishta's work. Unfortunately, this book is out of print and available only from used book dealers. If you have a spare copy that you wish to sell, please let us know.

The use of the word "Kachina" in the application is controversial. The "Katsina" have a special meaning to the Hopi. Colloquially, the Zuni dolls are called "Kachinas".

click to see an enlarged image

K-70 Zuni Boogie Man Kachina

by Tiffany Tsabetsaye

K-70 Boogie Man Kachina: This 10-1/4" tall A'toshle or Boogie Man Kachina is done in single-piece style in cottonwood. Very detailed hand-carved knife and headdress, well-painted, finely-incised hair, carved by Zuni artist Tiffany Tsabetsaye, $250. Domestic shipping of Zuni Kachinas is available for $25 each by UPS Ground or Priority Mail.

K-55 Longhorn Kachina: This 15" tall Saiyatasha (or Longhorn) Kachina is done in single-piece style in cottonwood. Very detailed hand-carved feather and headdress, well-painted, carved by Zuni artist Tiffany Tsabetsaye, $480. Domestic shipping of Zuni Kachinas is available for $25 each by UPS Ground or Priority Mail.

K-73 Kianakwe Kachina: The Kianakwe ceremony is a traditional ceremony honoring the victory of the Zuni over their enemies, but this ceremony has not been seen for more than 20 years. This 15" tall Kianakwe We Kachina is done in single-piece style in cottonwood. Very detailed hand-carved feather and headdress, mudhead on side, finely-incised collar, well-painted, carved by Zuni artist Tiffany Tsabetsaye, $550. Domestic shipping of Zuni Kachinas is available for $25 each by UPS Ground or Priority Mail.

K-56 Hututu Kachina: This 7-1/2" tall Hututu Kachina is carved from a single piece of cottonwood - only the feathers are separate pieces. It was carved by Felino Eriacho of Zuni Pueblo, $300. Domestic shipping of this Zuni Kachina is available for $25 by UPS Ground or Priority Mail.

K-54 Saiyatasha Kachina: This 8-1/2" tall Saiyatasha is carved from a single piece of cottonwood - only the feathers and horn are separate pieces. (Saiyatasha is also called the Longhorn and is similar to the Hopi Rain Priest of the North). It was carved by Felino Eriacho of Zuni Pueblo, $350. Domestic shipping of this Zuni Kachina is available for $25 by UPS Ground or Priority Mail.

K-68 Corn Maiden: This 8" tall Zuni Corn Maiden is carved entirely from a single piece of cottonwood. It has nicely-incised hair, a very detailed turquoise necklace, well-carved flowing robe and hands, with separate feather and head of corn also carved from cottonwood. It was done by master-carver Felino Eriacho of Zuni Pueblo, $500. Domestic shipping of Zuni Kachinas is available for $25 each by UPS Ground or Priority Mail.

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This WWW page and all referenced images are Copyright © 1995-2009 by Sunshine Studio - Santa Fe Indian Traders, Santa Fe, New Mexico,USA, or by the artist. All rights reserved. Last modified on November 2, 2009 by Arch Thiessen, Sunshine Studio Webmaster.