The purpose of the dolls are to teach children to identify the various spiritual figures depicted by the costumes of dolls and the symbolism of their regalia. "Kachina" is a Hopi term that means a variety of things and can refer to spirits, dancers and carved dolls - refer to Kachinas for additional information.

Making Kachina Dolls
Making Kachinas requires good carving skills and involves both tradition and artistry. The dolls are traditionally carved from the roots of cottonwood trees, although tupelo and swamp wood is also used. The tools used to carve the dolls include a variety of knives in various sizes, chisels, mallets, hatchets, hammers, hand saws and rasps. Traditionally Kachina dolls were made from just one piece of wood but today headdresses, arms, legs and accessories are made separately. The process of making Kachina Dolls is as follows:

• An appropriate piece of wood is sourced
• Bark is removed
• The wood is smoothed
• The wood is carved and all sections of the doll are assembled
• The face of the doll is usually carved as a mask
• A coating of clay or whitewash is applied
• The doll is then carefully painted
• The colors used have significant directional meanings
  • Yellow symbolizes north
  • Blue-green symbolizes west
  • Red symbolizes south
  • White symbolizes east
  • Black symbolizes the underworld
• Accessories held by the dolls are then added such as rattles, sticks and whips
• Additional decorative items might be added to a doll including feathers, animal horns, horsehair and semi-precious stones

Kachina Dolls - Facts about Kachinas
Kachinas are powerful spirits of deities, natural elements or animals who can use their magical powers for the good and well-being of the people, bringing rainfall, healing, fertility, or protection. Each of the Kachinas hold different powers. Kokopelli is the most famous of all the Kachina spirits. Kachinas are believed to have the same type of relationships as humans and may marry and have children. Kachinas can therefore have brothers, uncles, sisters, aunts and grandmothers. There are more than 400 different types of Kachinas in the Southwest Indian culture and many of these are depicted as Kachina Dolls.

Giving Kachina Dolls
The men traditionally make Kachina Dolls and their work is usually conducted in a special sacred building called a Kiva. Kachina Dolls are traditionally given during a ceremony such as the Soyal and the Niman. The Kachina dolls are then displayed on the walls of the pueblo where they can remind children of the costume and characteristics of the Kachina spirit.