Coming of the Kachinas
By Jacob Koopee, Hopi
Jake Koopee lives in the Hopi village of Sichomovi, one of the three villages
on the top of First Mesa. He actively participates in the annual cycle of
Hopi ceremonies involving the Kachina dances. Since he is an active
participant, he does know and understand the individual Kachinas. Although
very modern in style, this piece is his interpretation of the Coming of
the Kachinas.
Jake and one of his large, yet-to-be-fired bowls.
According to Hopi beliefs, the Kachinas come down from the San Francisco Mountains at the time of the winter solstice. They stay with the Hopi people during the winter and spring months, leaving just after the summer solstice in June. Since the Hopis were and are an agrarian society, most of their dances and celebrations are directed at having sufficient rain to bring about abundant crops of their staple, corn. His emphasis on repeating the Corn Dancers is an example of the emphasis on the success of the corn crop.
Above is Jake's interpretation of the first 12 Kachinas to appear at the beginning of the Kachina season, the "Coming of the Kachinas." Following is his identification of the 12 Kachinas.
Starting
at the lower portion of the piece, you see the Hopi Maiden, next to the
inside rim. Going to the right, next is the Ogre Kachina, A. The
Left-Handed Hunter Kachina, B, and the gambler Corn Dancer at the
90° point, C. Continuing up the right side, the twin gods,
Pagaanhoya and Monghoya, D. On the outer rim again, there is
another Corn Dancer, the Popcorn Kachina, E. At the top, is Hé-é-e
Noteh, F, the warrior maiden. Between the last two Kachinas are
the spiral sign for water, and the open squares signifying an ant hill.
Little random dots signify rain; random dashes signify germination. Just
below and to the left of the warrior maiden, is the story teller Kachina,
Quot Kalan G. Another Corn Dancer, H. Next is the male
Palak Shalako, I. The the leader of the Home Dance, J, the
last dance for the new brides. Just above J are three black bands
representing eagle tail feathers. K is the Sun Kachina, Tawa. And,
L, another Corn Dancer.
More information may be obtained on the entire Hopi Kachina tradition by obtaining the books "Hopi Kachina Dolls," by Harold S. Colton; or "Hopi Kachinas," by Barton Wright. Both of the small paperbacks are obtainable from www.amazon.com.
