noun
- Plural of katsina; carved wooden figures or dolls used in Hopi and other Pueblo Indian ceremonies and rituals, representing spirits or deities.
Usage: Also spelled 'kachinas'; Cultural/anthropological term; Often capitalized when referring to the spirits themselves
Examples
- The museum displayed a collection of traditional katsinas from the Hopi people.
- During the ceremony, dancers wore elaborate costumes to represent the katsinas.
- Katsinas are important cultural artifacts that teach children about Pueblo traditions.
- The carved katsinas were passed down through generations as sacred objects.
- Anthropologists study katsinas to understand the spiritual beliefs of Southwestern tribes.