Kachinas are religious beings dressed as supernatural spirits and can be found in western Pueblo cosmology and religious practices (Native American cultures located in the southwestern United States that include Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village, Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo).
There are more than 400 different kachinas in Hopi and Pueblo culture.
The local pantheon of kachinas varies in each pueblo community; there may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, and many other concepts.
They are called upon for many reasons - to bring good crops, rites of passage and more.
Kachina dolls are traditionally carved from the roots of cottonwood trees.
http://kachina.us/

I've got this wonderful gift from a Pbase friend in New Mexico, thank you very much Ken :)

For January 2012 Challenge "Patterns and/or Shapes".