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Tusayan katcinas

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About This Book

This study examines the Katcina phenomenon among the Tusayan villagers, treating Katcinas as supernatural personae embodied in masked dancers and ritual dolls. It presents a calendrical sequence of ceremonies, methods for fixing ceremonial dates, and a tentative classification that distinguishes elaborate rituals (including seasonal return and powámû rites) from abbreviated observances. Detailed descriptions cover mask types, regalia, symbolic motifs, and positions of celebrants, accompanied by plates and figures. Comparative remarks relate these practices to other Pueblo communities while noting cultural affinities and limitations of available data. The author emphasizes careful empirical observation and warns against superimposing Western notions of deities on indigenous ritual concepts.

About the Author

Fewkes, Jesse Walter portrait

Jesse Walter Fewkes

Jesse Walter Fewkes was an American archaeologist and ethnologist known for his extensive studies of Native American cultures, particularly in the Southwestern United States. He served as a prominent figure in the Bureau of American Ethnology and contributed significantly to the understanding of prehistoric and historic indigenous peoples. Fewkes is recognized for his detailed reports and investigations, including works such as "Antiquities of the Mesa Verde National Park," which explores the archaeological significance of the region. His research not only documented ancient structures but also delved into the cultural practices of tribes like the Hopi, making him a key figure in the field of American archaeology.

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