On a business trip ti NM, I cam across a collection of Zuni Kachina dolls. What do the represent-are they gods, demi-gods, or mythical beings?
They are quie interesting-i bought a few as souvenirs.
NM is such a fascinating place-a lot of culture and history!
Depends on the Kachina. They represent nature spirits, which I guess are Gods essentially as we perceive such.
I always thought they were spirits, but not in the same sense as Christian spirits. Traditionally, they are hand made and every detail signifies something about the life of the maker or the intended recipient. They can tell a story, like a mural, or I think they can represent the Zia, but I think they all exchanged ideas and subscribe(d) to the same basic beliefs.
The Zia is a separate tribe, which our state flag is modeled from. It has a sun in the middle, with four rays pointing in each of the four directions. They signify the four directions (N,S,E,W), the four seasons, the four parts of day (morning, noon, evening, night), and the four stages of life (baby/child, teen, adult, elder).
If you think Kachinas are cool, you should check out dreamcatchers.
P.S. You probably paid too much for it.
ETA:
But I guess I was wrong-the Kachina dolls are mde by the Hopi. What is interesting to me-the Hopi and Navajo live side by side-but have completely different beliefs about the world. Anyway, new Mexico is a fascinating place-I hope to come back!
The Zuni and the Hopi both make Kachina dolls.
There are about a dozen tribes in New Mexico that I can name off the top of my head, and they all have quite different beliefs about the world and life in general. There are two main types, if you will, though. The Navajo are a nomadic culture, while the Hopi are a Pueblo (cities with multiple stories of adobe structures) culture.