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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Taupou, post: 216139, member: 45&quot;]Unfortunately, these are Navajo carved figures, not authentic kachina dolls. </p><p><br /></p><p>Kachinas are spiritual figures from the Hopi and Zuni, and most Rio Grande Pueblo cultures. It is estimated that there are 500-600 different kachinas, each with a specific way they look, specific things they carry, and specific ways they act. They are not found in other Native American cultures.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Hopi and Zuni carve representations (kachina dolls, or &quot;tithu&quot; to the Hopi) of these kachinas to teach their young girls what the different kachinas look like.</p><p>Although it is still frowned upon by strict traditionalists, many Hopi, and a few Zuni, carve kachina dolls for sale.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Navajo, since they do not believe in kachinas, make them strictly for sale, and usually make no attempt to depict any actual kachina accurately.&nbsp; They are usually complete fantasy pieces, designed to attract unsuspecting tourists.&nbsp; Some do have a certain folk art appeal, and if you buy them directly from the Navajo carvers, they often sell them just as &quot;dolls&quot; or &quot;sculptures,&quot; to avoid the claims of cultural misappropriation.&nbsp; But they have flooded the market, especially on eBay, with their inexpensive versions of the real thing.</p><p><br /></p><p>Aside from an inaccurate representation, the Navajo carvings usually feature extensive use of feathers, fur, and fabric or leather, not used on the authentic Hopi or Zuni kachina dolls.</p><p><br /></p><p>They have &quot;decorative&quot; value only, little or no collectible value compared to Hopi kachina dolls.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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