Hopi Crafts | Antelope Kachina

Antelope Kachina – for the Hopi people Antelope, Chop in their language, is a playful spirit which dances in the company of others of its own species.
It is a kachina that helps to bring the rain, thereby increasing the grass and then ensuring plentiful food for the future.

In the Hopi cosmology, all things have two forms: the visible one and its spiritual counterpart. This dualism harmonizes mass and energy.
The Kachina is the spiritual essence of everything there is in the world.
During ceremonies, each Hopi over 10 years old becomes a part of the cult since everyone has to impersonate a part to give the immaterial a form: the Hopis impersonating the Kachina become the spirit of the Kachina itself and this ensures constant communication between the two worlds.
The dolls accurately represents each Kachina and help keep the tradition of the paintings and ceremonial masks.