Kachina Dolls

An illustrated practical guide explains the Hopi Kachina tradition, describing the belief in spirit beings who visit villages, the masked dances in kivas and on plazas, and the ceremonial giving of dolls and other gifts to children. It outlines different Kachina types, including clown figures, and emphasizes that dolls function as educational toys and reminders rather than objects of worship. The book also serves as a hands-on craft manual, detailing materials, carving and painting techniques, tool recommendations, and substitutions for cottonwood roots, while noting how tourist demand and mass production have affected traditional dollmaking.