Greetings; this is a general topic that may be of interest to those who collect Native American arts, crafts, and folk art. The guide will provide some information for those new to kachinas, but may also have some useful facts for more experienced collectors. Please let me know if the guide was helpful by giving it a yes or no vote at the end.

Kachinas are important to the religion of the Native peoples who live in the pueblos of Arizona and New Mexico--especially the Hopi and Zuni tribes. There are more than 300 different documented kachinas (pronounced katsinas in Hopi). They represent the spirits of everything in the natural world, from animals, plant, and weather elements to human attributes. The kachinas live with the people for six months each year; they bring gifts and dance in the kivas and plazas to help the people pray for rain and good crops. Some kachinas use humor to instruct about proper behavior, while others are disciplinarians who correct wrong behavior and encourage fulfillment of community obligations.

Kachina Dolls (called tithu or katsin-tithu in Hopi) are carved from dry cottonwood root, then painted and decorated to represent specific kachinas. Since only men personify the kachinas in ceremonies, the dolls are given to young girls in order to connect them with the spirits and teach them about each kachina's attributes. (Women have their own social and clan societies that play important ceremonial roles.)

For more than one hundred years, non-Native people have been intrigued by kachina dolls and have sought them out for museums and personal collections. Over the past 50 years, more artists have been making dolls especially to sell to tourists or collectors.

Styles of carving can be very simple, like the dolls made 100 years ago, or extremely detailed and lifelike. No matter how simple or complex, however, all authentic kachina dolls can be recognized by their regalia and the symbolic colors, materials, and designs that are used on them. Styles of carving can also tell you when a doll was made; it's fun to look at as many examples as possible to learn what you like. Remember that in many cases, an authentic kachina may have been a gift to a young Hopi girl at a dance. Such dolls may show signs of wear and repair--the dolls are played with and used, as well as put on display in Hopi homes. Although they are to be treated with respect, they are not ceremonial objects themselves.

You will see more fake kachinas than authentic ones on Ebay. Counterfeit dolls are produced in other countries and even by other tribes (especially the Navajo); however these fakes are usually easy to spot. Reputable traders will not call such dolls kachinas. Most are new, but many are made to look old by the use of old, cracked wood and primitive paint styles. If you are interested in learning more about kachinas and starting a collection of your own, remember that there is no such thing as a "Navajo Kachina." Real kachina dolls are usually Hopi-made, although sometimes a Zuni doll may also become available.

Here are some tips for ensuring that your kachina is a real one, and that your collection gets off to a good start:

• Remember the Ebay warning of "caveat emptor" or "let the buyer beware." Most sellers are more than happy to share information about the dolls they sell and the artists they work with; it's a great way to learn. However, be wary if someone has many kachinas to sell but not much information about them.
• Beware of a doll sold as "Native American made" or "Hopi style" rather than Hopi made.
• Do some homework; Barton Wright's classic book Hopi Kachinas: The Complete Guide to Collecting Kachina Dolls is a great place to start. Mr. Wright shows clear photos of many kachina dolls and provides an explanation of the appearance and meaning of each one. This book helped me avoid many mistakes when I started out!
• Beware of over-decorated dolls with lots of leather, feathers, and rabbit fur--although some trim is appropriate on real dolls, it should be used sparingly and in the right places.
• If older kachinas interest you, watch out for "no-reserve" auctions for old dolls; these dolls are often interesting as folk art but are not authentic.
• Be prepared to pay for authenticity--sometimes a bargain shows up, but in general an authentic Hopi kachina in excellent condition is not cheap.
• Ask questions! Most collectors love to talk about their kachinas and share information.

Every kachina has a story; part of the fun of collecting katsin-tithu is learning about these stories and how they live today in the ancient, rich, and lively Hopi culture. Have fun!

Askwali! (thanks!)