Native American Navajo Made Owl Kachina Doll

Description

Native American Navajo Made Owl Kachina Doll by Alfred Benally

The Owl Kachina is beneficial to agriculture because he destroys harmful rodents. He symbolizes intelligence, wisdom and a good hunt. He is best known for his interactions with the Clown Dancers. The Owl's primary function is one of amusement for the audience during pauses in Kachina dancing or as a leavening for the seriousness of a major ceremony. Oftentimes there is an object lesson on improper behavior or a social commentary present in their skits and actions. The Owl carefully watches the Clown Dancers' poor behavior with strong disapproval. When the Clown Dancers are finished performing, the Owl Kachina whips them with yucca blades to punish them.