How to Carve a Kachina
In the Pueblo culture, Kachinas are regarded as divine spirits that act as intermediaries between humans and God. Every tribe has its own versions of the more than 300 Kachinas in the Pueblo pantheon. Kachinas are named according to what they represent, such as animals or crops. Dolls depicting the various Kachinas are given to children in Pueblo villages to teach them about the identities of these divine spirits. Tribes perform dances that teach a sacred myth or legend to invoke the spirit of the Kachinas.
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Things You'll Need
- Broom handle
- Saw
- "V" point chisel
- Black and white paint
- Glue
- Feathers
- Bits of fur
Instructions
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1
Cut a 4-inch piece from the top of an old broom handle using a saw.
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2
Carve a horizontal notch for the neck. Carve a vertical line down the bottom half of the wood to represent the space between the legs. Carve another horizontal notch at the bottom of the wood to represent the ankles.
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3
Paint the body white. Once dry, paint a symbol such as a rainbow, animal print or sun on the body in black paint. Paint a mask on the face. Wait for the paint to dry.
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4
Glue feathers to the side of the head. You can also glue bits of fur to the doll's headdress.
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