Hermès scarf Kachinas

Table of Contents

Introduction ——————————————– 1

Chapter 1 – The Rare and Well-known Kachinas ———– 2

Chapter 2 – The Socially Responsible Kachinas ———— 3

Chapter 3 – The Order Maintaining Kachinas ————– 4

Chapter 4 – The Initiating, Educational, and Legendary Kachinas 5

Chapter 5 – The Agricultural and Weather Deity Kachinas —– 6

Chapter 6 – The Super Powerful Kachinas —————— 7

The Background Information —————————– 8

Chapter 1 – Introduction

The carré Kachinas was designed by the Waco artist Kermit Oliver, the first and the only American artist ever engaged in the Hermès scarf and were first issued in 1992.  As described in the 2019 Hermès catalogue, which was reissued in wash silk format: “Kachinas are ceremonial dolls given to Hopi children, Pueblo Indians residing in the southwestern part of the United States. As their name implies, the Hopi live peacefully – Hopituh Shi-nu-mu means “The Peaceful People”––and in harmony with spirits. Ancestors, clouds, gods of fire or rain, and mischievous or benevolent spirits are personified in religious ceremonies involving boys from the age of six during their initiation. A link between the real and invisible worlds, these brightly coloured wooden dolls, charged with symbolism, are given to children to familiarise them with their ancestral beliefs and rituals. ”

When unfurling the smooth and velvety wash carré, twenty-five colourful Kachina dolls are embraced in it. The artist, Mr. Kermit Oliver, transformed the carré into a Hopi mantel blanket, dotted with animal symbolism drawings, bows and birds. Surrounding the largest Kachina dolls at each corner are the greater roadrunner birds and ritual baskets filled with flowers, corn, squashes and pumpkins. The Greater Roadrunner is the symbolic medicine bird, and the Pueblo people believe it could protect them against evil spirits. The manner of wearing a Hopi mantel blanket has two styles. It can be worn over both shoulders and conceals the body heat to keep them warm. Or put it over one shoulder, under the other arm and tie a knot in front; it leaves one arm free from restriction. 

The dolls are given to the children who may learn about their cultures and traditions. The Hopis create every Kachina with a particular set of characteristics and distinctive personalities and play one or more roles during different ceremonies. There are over four hundred different types of Kachina in the Pueblo’s world. They range from deities, chiefs, warriors, guards, runners, dancers, domestic plants, animals, birds, insects, clouds, rains, clowns, and even death itself. In this article, twenty-five kachinas are divided into six groups:

• the Rare and Well-Known Kachinas (5),
• the Socially Responsible Kachinas(4),
• the Order Maintaining Kachinas(5),
• the Initiating, Educational, and the Legendary Kachinas (4),
• the Agricultural Kachinas and the Weather Deity(6),
• the Super Powerful Kachina. (1)

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