How are Kachina Dolls Made?

How are Kachina Dolls Made?

How are Kacahina Dolls made? If you are wondering this, read on. Kachina dolls are made by the Hopi, with each one representing a spirit in life. It takes great skill to create the traditional Kachina doll. The type of wood that is used to create kachina dolls is cottonwood root. If cottonwood root isn’t available due to its rarity in some areas, tupelo can be used instead. Tupelo is a type of swamp wood found in the southeastern part of the United States.

How are Kacahina Dolls Made?
In order to create a realistic looking kachina doll, people need to know how to make kachina dolls. Once the wood has been obtained, it is time to start carving the kachina doll. Before you start, be sure to know which spirit the kachina doll is supposed to depict. If you are aware of all the features of the spirit, you will be able to create a kachina doll that correctly depicts its spirit. The tools you will need for this project are: chisels, hammers, hand saws, hatchets, mallets, rasps, and a variety of knives. The knives can range from pocket to butcher types. These tools will be needed to strip bark from the wood, to smooth the wood, and to finish the piece. Carving will be needed for additional parts such as head pieces and other accessories like a rattle.

Some kachina dolls are made from a single piece of wood and these tend to be more simple than the ones with parts that were carved individually then put together. After the carving process has been completed, native kaolin clay is usually used to give the doll a white wash. After the doll has received a white wash, it is time to paint the doll in detail. Water colors or tempura usually are used for painting but native minerals and vegetal dyes have been used in the past. After the paint job is finished, it’s time to add accessories such as jewelry. Plastic or commercial beads usually are used for necklaces and bracelets but with some kachina dolls, fur can be used for the ruffs around the neck. Fur from small animals native to the area is preferred but commercial fur has been used in the past as well. Feathers also can be used for headpieces, depending on the type of kachina doll being created. The feathers usually come from sparrows or domestic fowl. They also can be carved. A mask for the kachina doll is the final step because all kachina dolls need a mask, to identify the doll’s persona.

The Hopi are the only ones who know how to make kachina dolls skillfully. A true, authentic kachina doll has to be made by a member of the Hopi tribe; ones made by any other people won’t be authentic, regardless of their beauty.