Native Americans have inhabited this country for many generations. We see so many things influenced by Native Americans and we are in awe of the independence of these people and the culture from which they came. When we look at art through Native American eyes, we should see healthy and usable art. The art was not for aesthetic reasons; it had a real purpose. The folk art that emerged from these cultures was motivated by religious and moral reasons. Everything these people had had a necessity in their group. Kachina is one of these necessities. The Kachinas were and still are an important part of the religion of the Pueblo Indians, but I will focus on the Hopi Indians. The Kachinas were friendly spirits just like our Christian saints; however, there were evil Kachinas who punished those who disobeyed Hopi law. Kachinas play an important role in various religious ceremonies, many of which take the form of dances and songs. When a Hopi man dresses in the costume of a particular Kachina, he believes that the spirit of that Kachina has replaced his personal identity. The ceremonies ask the Kachinas to bring bountiful harvests or to give the people of the village good health and luck. Hopi children believe in Kachinas just like American children believe in Santa Claus. During ceremonies, children are not expected to recognize their fathers, uncles or friends who assume the role of Kachinas. And while Santa Claus brings gifts to children, some Kachinas bring Kachina dolls, fruits, candies and other surprises. Kachina dolls are not given to children as toys, but as something to cherish and study so that they can become familiar with the different spirits that are an important part of their religion. Kachina phenomena are relatively new. The Hopi religion was not always in place. As we know, religion is put in place to maintain order within a group or tribe. It sets the standard for how the group is supposed to live. To take a closer look at the Kachina, we will look at the history of the Hopi Indians. In the book The Art of Hopi Carvers, we are told that the primary ancestors of the Hopi were the Anasazi, a group of people who around the time of Christ came to rely on agriculture. They were in the middle of paper......and many collectors of these items. A Hopi kachina doll can easily cost $1,000 to start. The reason they are so important is because the Hopi are considered the ultimate artisan of kachina. They are considered the best in their profession. Due to waterfowl and predatory bird conservation laws, kachinas are no longer what they used to be. Additionally, if you are not a Hopi Indian with ties to the religion, you cannot get an authentic kachina doll or mask. The colors are different. Each color is important to the Hopi and symbolizes something sacred, such as the sky, water, etc. They don't use the same colors and symbols for their retail work. SOURCESKiva Trading Company. Internet. 1997, Kiva Corporation, Cold Spring Harbor, New York. www.kivatradin.com/kachina.htmBritannica.com. Internet. 2000, Britannica.com, Inc.www.britannica.comThe art of the Hopi carvers. Internet. 1998, University of Arizona Press. www.uapress.arizona.edu/samples/sam471.htmKachina. Internet. 1998, [email protected]/aboutart/kachinas/kachcult.htmPoupées Katsina. Internet. www.nativeamericantraders.com/kachina.htm