Kachina Mother Cradle Kachina Doll

The Kachina Mother (Hahay'iwłuti) is typically the first doll presented to infants and is also given to captive eagles that are raised in the villages and sacrificed following the Niman ceremony. Considered to be the mother of kachinas as well as dogs, she appears in a number of ceremonies and accompanies the monsters (sooso'yokt) when they make their rounds exhorting meat and cornmeal from children and threatening those who are not generous enough or have misbehaved. She is more vocal than most kachinas, often speaking in a high, falsetto voice. The red lines on the forehead represent dyed horsehair. (Carved by Ted Puhuyesva, Hotevilla, Third Mesa. Height 7 inches)

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