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Details:
12” tall, including wooden base, 5” wide
Decorated with buckskin, rabbit fur and feathers
Signed by the Navajo Artist, including census number

This Badger Nurse Kachina Doll is an impressive example of Navajo Indian artistry. This Kachina has been captured in an energetic traditional pose. This incredible Kachina Doll was made the old-fashioned way, hand-carved out of genuine soft wood. It was masterfully hand-painted with traditional designs. The mask has the traditional features of the Badger, including the badger claw face paintings and blue and white stripes down his nose. He is known as the nurse because he is the herb collector and assistant to the Medicine Man.

Kachina Dolls are gifts given in hope of future abundance and health, as well as tools for education. The Kachina dolls of today's art market are a bridge not only between the spiritual world and mortals but also between Hopis and non-Hopis. Each year Kachinas come, they walk upon the earth and they dance to bring life and renewal. When the Kachinas return to the spirit world at the end of the planting, they return with prayers of the Hopi that we might all continue on this earth for another round in the circle of life.

There are more than 250 different kachinas, each with its own separate attributes, representing everything from animals to abstract concepts. The Hopi were the original Kachina doll carvers, using a single piece of cottonwood root. The Navajo began carving in their own creative way adding leather, feather, beads, and turquoise. For over 2000 years the Indians of the Southwest have danced beneath the heavens, praying to the great spirits for rain and a bountiful harvest. These spirits are embodied by Kachinas, (ka chee`nas). Kachinas represent the spirits of created beings like the soaring eagle and the cunning wolf. During religious ceremonies, the Indians dress up in the elaborate costumes of Kachinas in a celebration of the harmony of creation.

We understand the true value and nature of hand-crafted Indian art. We recognize it's important to know that the artist is truly a member of a Native American tribe. To assure you that this is authentic, a Certificate of Authenticity has been included with this item.

CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC

SKU	1508-KD
Weight	3.0 lb
Qty	Not available in the current price set.