Youvella discusses kachinas at La Posada

Tino Youvella, from Hopi Police, June 25 talked about his life carving kachinas in the La Posada Hotel ballroom. Youvella has five decades of carving under his belt. At La Posada, he explained the lore of the kachinas. When Hopis dance as kachinas they bring to life the character of the figures they are dressed as. The dances are to bring rain for the summer corn crops and for the health and well-being of all Hopis. There are 200 different kachina types and the carved dolls are given to young girls with boys receiving bows and arrows. Some kachina images are not allowed to be duplicated.