The Legendary Kachinas—Ancient Astronaut Watchers?

The Kachina are one of the most important elements of the religion and cosmogony of the Pueblo Indians of the West, among which are the Hopi, the Zuni, the Tiwa (in the Hopi Reservation), the Acoma, and the Laguna. In later times, the cult of the Kachina spread eastward among the Pueblo tribes, for example, from the Laguna tribe to the Isleta tribe. Eventually the Kachina—the Watchers—became a sacred part of not only religion and cosmology but everyday life. In Hopi, the word (Kachina) qatsina literally means "carrier of life," and can be anything existing in the natural world. Kachina dancers, Shongopovi pueblo, Arizona, sometime before 1900. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain A kachina can be anything; from an element to a quality, to a natural phenomenon, or a concept. But when you think about it, the translated world means the carrier of life or bringer of life. If we take a look at countless creation stories not only from North America, but South, and Central America, we will find incredible ancient creation myths that describe hog the Sky Gods or Sky people were the creators of man, bringers of knowledge and those who kick-started civilization. Having that said, would you not agree that the Kachina could be those bringers of life? Drawings of kachina dolls, from an 1894 anthropology book. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain For the Zunis's, the Kachina are the Gods who came down from heaven, leading the Zunis to Earth.

The Concept

The kachina concept is made out of three different aspects: the supernatural being, the kachina dancers (masked members of the community who represent kachinas at religious ceremonies), and kachina dolls, small dolls carved in the likeness of kachinas given as gifts to children. Many authors describe this incredible bings as spirits or personifications in the real world. In fact, according to legend, these spirits visit the Hopi villages during the first half of each year. The pantheon of kachinas varies in each community. There may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, and many other concepts.

The Origin

The origin of the Kachina remains a profound mystery for scholars. No one knows where they come from, but according to local legends of the Hopi, the Kachinas are benevolent spiritual beings who came to the Hopi tribe through the underworld.

The Bringers of Rain

In addition to being referred to as the carrier of life, the Kachinas are those responsible for bringing the rain and all other blessings of life of the Hopi. Eventually, the Hopi took these benevolent spiritual beings for granted, losing all reverence and respect to them, making the Kachinas return to the underworld.

The Ceremony

Before leaving, the Kachinas thought their ceremonies to the young men of the tribes, showing them how to make masks and costumes. The Ancient Hopi honor the Kachinas with ceremonies that have been performed since time immemorial. Every year, the Zunis participate in a ceremony referred to as the Shalako festival. Dressed in traditional costumes to represent the kachinas, the Indians celebrate the arrival of the gods on earth.

The Masks, costumes, and traditions: worship of Ancient Astronauts?

The Kachina masks are extremely interesting. They represent the bringers of life. Some ancient astronaut theorists have identified the kachina masks and costumes with otherworldly visitors. If we take a look at the peculiar design of the kachina masks, almost appear as helmets. Ancient astronauts argue that in addition to that, the entire body resembles what many could interpret as a type of a suit. Some kachina masks have the appearance of a helmet with visors.

The Wuya

The most important Kachinas are the so-called Wuya. According to the Hopi, the word is often used to represent the spiritual beings themselves (said to be connected with the Fifth World, Taalawsohu), the dolls, or the people who dress as kachinas for ceremonial dances, which are understood to embody all aspects of the same belief system.

The Legends

Curiously, if we take a look the poetry and the legends and the stories from Native American tribes in the Southwest, we find legends of the star people. The star people are said to have come to Earth and seeded planet Earth, and they arrived in flying ships. If you speak to the elders, they will tell you that a lot of us believe in the existence of extraterrestrials.

The Blue Star Kachina

According to Frank Waters "Book of the Hopi" written in 1961, ancient Hopi mythology indicates that the Blue Star Kachina or Saquasohuh will signify the coming of the beginning of the new world by appearing in the form of a blue star. The Blue Star Kachina is referred to by a number of authors as the ninth and final sign before the "Day of Purification". This day is described as a catastrophe or a "world engulfing cataclysm" that will lead to the purification of planet Earth. Something like a great flood.