Saturday, April 4, 2009

Kosharis and Kachinas

Today is the 8th Annual Katsina Doll Marketplace at the Heard Museum, where more than 100 Hopi katsina wood doll carvers will gather to show and sell their Native American art.  

The photo is of a Koshari or clown kachina doll.  I love kosharis and I am lucky to have several in my home to enjoy. Kosharis are the playful clowns who are always getting into mischief, but they have such personality.  

We sometimes go to the Hopi tribal lands and visit the wood carvers in their homes and buy from them directly.  We love to go to Indian country.  Oraibi is the oldest place of continuous human habitation in the United States.  It is a very special place. Visitors to Hopi lands are welcome at Walpi, where they will give you a walking tour and introduction to the Hopi Culture.    

The event will take place from 10 am to 4 pm today.  
For more information, click Katsina Wood Doll Carvers.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guess you are lucky. To live in the land you live in. I fell in love with Arizona when I was a kid and I worked at Levy's of Tucson as a window trimmer in 1952. I would get $40.00 for a bus ticket and would be broke when the bus pulled into Tucson at night. I would walk downtown and sleep on the park bench by the library. In the morning I walked across the street to the employment office and get a job somewhere. I did that a couple of years and met up with Rusty and Billie Irion who took me in and fed me and gave me a place to sleep. Nice people. Fine folks.

Anyway. The last time I was there my job landed me working for a rancher who lived in Tucson but shipped me, by Jeep, all the way up to Sho Low, Arizona where me and the Jeep driver lived in a motel, ate Spud Nuts and Milkshakes and built a cabin for the rancher. Well, I left before the job was done. Found a ride to Houston.

Those were the days when I was a teen and thought I was immortal.

So, I admire people from Arizona. It is a fine place to live. I just got sidetracked by the Army and my wife. We have been married 54 years.

Sharon said...

Great photo Julie. The Kosharis are my favorite too!

cieldequimper said...

You are so lucky. Katsinas (Kachinas?) fascinate me. Thank you for bringing one to us.

Lois said...

It's very beautiful!

B SQUARED said...

To visit Indians here, we have to go to a casino.

henny said...

Hi Julie, how's your weekend?
Katsina, a nice name for dolls :).
You inspired me to upload some traditional Japanese dolls in the upcoming days, thanks a lot...:)
Well, I just signed up on City DP less than a week.
Do you think traditional dolls from around the world have been taken as one of theme day?
I saw some Indian dolls when in there at Indian Museum in DC, unfortunately I only bought the postcard of them.

brattcat said...

I just enlarged this. What a beautiful shot, Julie. I can sometimes freak myself out with these little symbol dolls. Especially clowns...shudder. But I think this is a great photograph. And the fact that you are able to visit the oldest continuously inhabited site in the country...that really is awe-inspiring.

Unknown said...

This is SO fantastic! Something you definitely will not find here for sale. Love it!

So, you're leaving for Marocco soon! I'm sure you will enjoy it! Don't buy anything on touristic places, there is allways a kid who will take you to 'his cousin shop' and remember to bargain A LOT! :-)

glenda said...

I've always enjoyed the Kosharis and the stories that go with the different ones. Maybe you would post some of the ones you have collected and some info on them. Abe, loved reading about your adventures in Arizona in your youth.

VP said...

I knew nothing of these dolls, so I thank you for another occasion to have fun learning something new and interesting. Great post.

Ash said...

Wow, so interesting! Thanks so much for sharing...

airplane5312 said...

Arizona has such an interesting history in native American cultures. I hope next time we're down there we'll have more time to explore.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Love the post from yesterday and today. The craftsmanship in the dolls is breathtaking. The doll and the butterfly posted one day after another are stunning contrasts.

Kate said...

Many years ago I tried to drive along as much of the Santa Fe trail as I could and recall visiting the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. While there I saw Fraser's "End of the Trail" sculpture (beautiful) and John Wayne's Kashina doll collection...equally beautiful.

Arizona sounds like a wonderful winter destination...do you suggest it for me instead of Mexico next winter??

josé luis said...

Interesantes noticias sobre Koshari y los Hopi.También la mariposa de ayer...

Mo said...

Wow what amazing dolls. I need to find out more about them.

Clueless in Boston said...

Interesting post about the dolls and the Hopi. I think this doll is maybe more devilish looking than mischievous.

Lowell said...

I remember Kachina dolls. This guy is quite a character; reminds me of some of the kids I taught in school!

gogouci said...

You are very lucky to live in an area central to interesting and photogenic events and cultures.

Unknown said...

Great post about a fascinating subject. And a beautiful close-up of the doll. :-)

PJ said...

You're definitely privileged to live in such a visual world. This is so dramatic, I love it.

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