Kachinas of the Southwest: Dances, Dolls, and Rain Elucidating the Kachina Cult

Authors

Jamie Bingham, Brigham Young University
Dr. Paul R. Stavast, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Kachina Cult, Pueblo, Hopi, spiritual beings, kachina dolls

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Abstract

This past semester (Winter 2008), the Museum of Peoples and Cultures (MPC) researched and curated an exhibition on the Kachina Cult of the Pueblo and Hopi cultures. The Kachina Cult is centered around belief in a set of spiritual beings that bring blessings, gifts, and rain. Kachina literally means “spirit father” or “life father” and can be anything that exists in the natural world. One of the most common representation of kachinas is in the form of dolls. The exhibition features an impressive collection of ancient and modern kachina dolls in an effort to provide insight into the fairly elusive Kachina Cult.

Recommended Citation

Bingham, Jamie and Stavast, Dr. Paul R. (2013) "Kachinas of the Southwest: Dances, Dolls, and Rain Elucidating the Kachina Cult," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 136.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/136