Hopi (Katsinam) kachinas are crafted to acknowledge celestial beings, significant animals to the Hopi people, and the ancestors who help with their harvest, raising their spirits as well as raising their children. Hopi kachinas are hand carved from a single cottonwood root and sometime painted with natural dyes in a traditional way.

 Navajo Kachinas has no spiritual significance in Navajo culture; it is a craft learned as a way for some Navajo people to earn a living. It is clear upon examination of these dolls that the Navajo Kachina is not hand-carved from cottonwood root as are the Hopi Katsinam. The body parts of the Navajo Kachina are machine made; the dolls are then pegged, glued together, clothed and painted and hand-finished by the Navajo maker.

Please Note: Because our Navajo kachinas are hand carved and decorated there may be a slight difference in appearance.