Kachina - Kachinas were believed by the Pueblo Indians to be supernatural spirits or gods which inhabited the mountains, and during ceremonial dances these gods were supposed to visit the village in spirit.  The dancers themselves, with masked faces, represented the gods.  Wooden dolls, with masked faces and bright colored garments, representing the kachinas, were used in instructing the children.  There were more than one hundred kachinas, each with a name, a distinct form, and an individual type of dress.

Kachina mask

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[ Hopi ][ Masks ]