Momoyam Kachinas and Kachinmana (kachina girls) are spirit beings who watch over women, mothers and sisters. Kachina women are social dancers and members of Marau and Qagöl women's societies and like all kachinas are endowed with human characteristics.
Female kachinas generally wear belts tied to the side of their waists and often carry food, water and gifts to bestow on the villagers. Some female kachinas carry weapons such as bows, knives, saws and yucca whips such as the Soyok Wuhti, ogre kachina. Kachinmana can be distinguished bt their hair dressed in large whorls which was the hair style of unmarried girls.
Mana or Momoyam kachinas impersonators are all men or boys with the rare exception of the Pachavuin Mana. There is no negative social stigma attached to any man or boy who is selected to impersonate a female kachina or personality.
When a female kachina accompanyies a male kachina she will always assume the name of that particular kachina.
Kachina types may cross match into one or more group since many kachinas are multi-faceted with numerous responsbilities and roles.
Print and trace the designs onto multi-color fun craft foam sheets to create pliable and colorful soft face masks. Use left over trimmings of foam pieces to cut and paste intricate designs and shapes onto the mask.
For best results print on heavy duty vellum paper or card stock. All paper mask designs are printable on regular or heavy duty 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Print landscape mode for larger masks, portrait setting for smaller masks.
