Chakwaina Kachina
by Bradford Phillips Sr., Hopi
cottonwood, pigment
9" high x 4" wide x 3" deep
Chakwaina appears most often in January during the Kiva Dances, dancing in a line with lively gestures, stooping and turning and singing a spirited tune. It has been said that Chakwaina represents Estevan the Moor, who led Fray Marcos de Niza in search of Cibola and was killed at Zuni. Barton Wright, the noted Katsina expert, said this is not likely because Chakwaina originally came from the Rio Grande pueblos, migrated to Zuni, then to Hopi from Zuni.
Chakwaina appears in Hopi, Zuni and Keresan pueblos but not in New Mexico Tewa Pueblo ceremonies. Chakwaina is a warrior of great repute and his costume indicates this with its double bandoleers, buckskin kilt and the warrior pahos on his head. He carries a bow in his hand. The white marks on his torso are warrior marks.
