page_title: Kachina
section_title: Zuni kachinas
hierarchical_section_title: Kachina / Zuni kachinas
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo of dance by kachina dancers of the Hopi pueblo of Shongopavi, Arizona, USA taken sometime between about 1870 and 1900. The dancers, which would be members of the local kiva religious societies, represent spirits called kachinas and wear elaborate masks. Changes to original work: Cropped out right image of stereo pair, converted to greyscale, adjusted brightness and contrast.
context_page_description: A kachina is a spirit being in the religious beliefs of the Pueblo peoples, Native American cultures located in the south-western part of the United States. In the Pueblo cultures, kachina rites are practiced by the Hopi, Zuni, Hopi-Tewa, and certain Keresan tribes, as well as in most Pueblo tribes in New Mexico.
  The kachina concept has three different aspects: the supernatural being, the kachina dancers, and kachina dolls.
context_section_description: Religious ceremonies are central to the Zuni agrarian society.  They revolve around the winter and summer solstices, incorporate the importance of weather, especially rain, and ensure successful crops.  According to Tanner, "Father Sky and Mother Earth are venerated, as are the welcome kachinas who bring many blessings." 
  The Zuni believe that the kachinas live in the Lake of the Dead, a mythical lake which is reached through Listening Spring Lake.  This is located at the junction of the Zuni River and the Little Colorado River. Although some archaeological investigations have taken place, they have not been able to clarify which tribe, Zuni or Hopi, developed the Kachina Cult first. Both Zuni and Hopi kachinas are different from each other but have certain similarities and features. In addition, both Zuni and Hopi kachinas are highly featured and detailed, while the kachinas of the Rio Grande Pueblos look primitive in feature. The Hopis have built their cult into a more elaborate rite, and seem to have a greater sense of drama and artistry than the Zunis. On the other hand, the latter have developed a more sizable folklore concerning their kachinas.
  According to Clara Lee Tanner, "...kachina involves three basic concepts: first, a supernatural being; second, the masked dancer (and the Zuni is a kachina when he wears the mask), and third the carved, painted, and dressed doll."  The list of Zuni kachinas includes:
  A'Hute
  Ainawua
  Ainshekoko
  Anahoho
  A'thlanna
  Atoshle Otshi
  Awan Pekwin
  Awan Pithlashiwanni
  Awan Tatchu
  Awek Suwa Hanona
  Bitsitsi
  Chakwaina
  Chakwaina Okya
  Chathlashi
  Chilili
  Eshotsi
  Hainawi
  Hehea
  Hehe'a
  Hemokatsiki
  Hemushikiwe
  Hetsululu
  Hilili Kohana
  Hututu
  Ishan Atsan Atshi
  Itetsona
  Itsepasha
  Kakali
  Kalutsi
  Kanatshu
  Kanilona
  Kiaklo
  Kianakwe
  Kianakwe Mosona
  Kokokshi
  Kokothlanna
  Kokwele
  Komokatsiki
  Kothlamana
  Koyemshi
  Kwamumu
  Kwamumu Okya
  Kwelele
  Lapilawe
  Mahedinasha
  Mitotasha
  Mitsinapa
  Mókwala
  Mukikwe
  Mukikw' Okya
  Muluktaka
  Muyapona
  Nahalisho
  Nahalish Awan Mosona
  Nahalish Okya
  Nalashi
  Na'le
  Na'le Okya
  Na'le Otshi
  Natashku
  Natshimomo
  Nawisho
  Neneka
  Nepaiyatemu
  Ohapa
  Oky'enawe (Girls)
  Ololowishkia
  Owiwi
  Paiyatamu
  Pakoko
  Pakok'Okya
  Pasikiapa
  Pautiwa
  Posuki
  Potsikish
  Saiyapa
  Saiyatasha
  Saiyathlia
  Salimopia Itapanahnan'ona
  Salimopia Kohan'ona
  Salimopia Shelow'ona
  Salimopia Shikan'ona
  Salimopia Thlian'ona
  Salimopia Thluptsin'ono
  Sate'tshi E'lashokti
  Shalako (6)
  Shalako Anuthlona
  Shi-tsukia
  Shulawitsi
  Shulawitsi An Tatchu
  Shulawitsi Kohanna
  Shumaikoli
  Siwolo
  Suyuki
  Temtemshi
  Thlelashoktipona
  Thlewekwe
  Thlewekwe Okya
  Tomtsinapa
  Tsathlashi
  Upikaiapona
  Upo'yona
  Wahaha
  Wakashi
  Wamuwe
  Wilatsukwe
  Wilatsukw' Okya
  Wo'latana
  Yamuhakto
  Yeibichai
caption: Kachina dancers, Shongopovi pueblo, Arizona, sometime before 1900
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