New Lives: Building Community at Fourmile Ruin July 8, 2010

The BYU Museum of People and Culture is showing an exhibit titled, Kachinas of the Southwest: Dances, Dolls & Rain. Kachinas are an important part of Hopi religious ceremonies. The name Kachina itself means "spirit father" or "life father" (kachii, life or spirit; na, father) and indicates their importance to the Hopi people as bringers of rain. Kachina spirits dwell in the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona for half the year, and spend the other half on the mesas visiting with the Hopi. The time the Kachinas spend with the Hopi is known as "Kachina season."