katcina

or ka·tchi·na

[ kuh-chee-nuh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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In the summer 'dances' snake-charming feats are performed, but in the Katcina ceremony serpents are never employed.

Most of these 'dances' are arranged by the Katcina clan, and take place in dance-houses known as kivas.

No women wear Katcina masks in a Hopi ceremony, the female Katcinas being invariably represented by men.

The masked dances amongst the Pueblos, in which animal personifications take place and masks are worn, are called Katcina dances.

There are also many Katcina dances which are not different from those performed at Walpi.

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