Kachinas in Hopi Religion | Therese Pagenkopf

The name Hopi or Hop a too means "good in every respect, to be good, peaceable, wise, and

knowing".  The Hopi Indian tribe is a peaceful one residing high upon three rocky mesas in Northeastern

Arizona.  There is archeological evidence that the Hopis are descendants of the Pueblo Indians, who

resided in Southwestern United States since 1100 CE.  Oraibi, built upon the third mesa in 1100 CE, is one

of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in North America.  The Hopi have their spiritual history, just

as Christians have theirs, recorded from the beginning of Genesis through The Book of Revelation.  The

Hopi s spiritual beliefs have continued since their creation, independently of pressures from the out 

side world.  They "believe it is essential to maintain balance between this world and the underworld,

and the inhabitants of both."

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In the Hopi religion, kachinas are benevolent spirits that play an impor 

tant, intricate role in religious ceremonies that connect these two worlds.

Kachina literally means "respected spirit (ka:  respect, and china; spirit )", but kachinas are not

deities. "They are respected spirits: spirits of the dead; spirits of mineral, plant, bird, animal and human

entities, of clouds, other planets, stars that may appear in our sky; spirits of all the invisible forces of

Kachinas in Hopi Religion   Therese PagenkopfClarey

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