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This
beautiful, small Kachina Doll is from the permanent collection of the
Southwest Museum, in Los Angeles, California. It is unusual in that it
has a rounded snout, rather than the customary hooked yellow beak
.
Kachinas, or
Kachinam, are spirits believed to dwell atop the San Francisco Peaks in
Northern Arizona. They come to Hopi to perform various ceremonies
designed to aid in the Hopi's constant struggle for survival in a harsh
climate. The Kachina Dolls are representations of these spirits.
Traditionally given to small children, to familiarize them with the Hopi
religion, they have also become much sought after collector items, and
are often made expressly for sale to collectors.
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